Ennis town councillor has no regrets over leaving Labour

ENNIS Town Councillor Paul O’Shea has said he has no regrets leaving the Labour Party following the climb-down by the Government on proposed cuts to services for people with disabilities.

On Tuesday, Health Minister, Dr James O’Reilly instructed the HSE not to cut personal care assistants from people with disabilities.

However Councillor O’Shea, who tendered his resignation to the Labour Party on Friday, stated, “This is just scraping the surface and it’s not going to suffice, there is a long way to go yet.”
When asked if he had any regrets in the light of the recent climb-down he stated, “none whatsoever”.

He added, “I do welcome this news and it’s very encouraging for us going forward and pressuring the Government to see if the entirety of these cuts can be reversed.”

When questioned about the possibility of rejoining the party if all of the cuts are reversed he commented, “I don’t know at this stage.”

Councillor O’Shea told how he has received “unbelievable support” since tendering his resignation. The now independent councillor has stated he decided to quit because of what he described as an “attack on the most vulnerable”.

He is now organising a public meeting on Monday in Ennis to discuss what he has called “draconian” cuts. Councillor O’Shea had been a member of the Labour Party for 12 years and he said the decision to quit the party was not taken lightly.

“It was a massive decision for me. But I just couldn’t stand by these cuts. To open the newspaper on Friday and see these cuts to the most vulnerable, I didn’t sign up to the Labour party for this. I took the pledge for equality and fairness, and this is inequitable,” he said. He described the healthcare cost saving measures as a “human rights issue”.

Commenting to The Clare Champion at the time of making his decision he stated, “The €130 million cost-cutting package will result in those who are in desperate need of care being unable to access services. The announcement by the Government has caused panic and distress for families throughout Clare.

“I am tired of listening to the same old rhetoric ‘there is no money’. I understand there is a deficit in the budget but there are alternative ways of making up the €259 million deficit.

“The area of generic drugs, consultant salaries and payments to private health insurers could be looked at more closely, resulting in millions of savings. As someone who works on a daily basis with the elderly I cannot stand passively by and allow the pain and suffering that people will have to endure take affect. I would ask that all members of the public who may be affected by these cuts attend the meeting.

“As a Labour councillor I find these cuts unacceptable and as a matter of principal I can no longer be associated with a Government party who support this appalling attack on the most vulnerable in society. The Labour Party must call a halt to this onslaught, that will also affect children at home with life threatening medical conditions.  I have contacted my local constituency chairperson and the Labour Party General Secretary and outlined to them my deep concerns. I have asked that these cuts be reversed and have submitted my resignation as a member and local representative of the Labour Party.”

The meeting will be held next Monday at 8pm at the West County Hotel, Ennis. Guest speakers will include the CEO Caring for Carers Ireland Mary Macmahon, Irish Midwives Nurses Organisation, Mary Fogarty, Andy Pike, IMPACT Trade Union  and Dr Billy O’Connell, GP.

According to Councillor O’Shea, “An invitation has also been extended to HSE area manager, primary and community care, Bernard Gloster who has declined to attend but is happy to meet with a delegation.”