Health funding row shows how unstable the Executive is

9.47.00am GMT Fri 16th Nov 2007

Alliance Health Spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA

Alliance Health Spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA has said that the war of words between Finance Minister Peter Robinson and Health Minister Michael McGimpsey underlines the turmoil within the Executive and shows how unstable it is. He also expressed massive concerns that the recent budget could be to the real detriment of the health service.

Kieran McCarthy MLA said: "This turmoil in the Executive between the Finance Minister and The Health Minister could destabilise our health services.

"This war of words within the Executive does not exactly instil the public with confidence in those who are supposedly running the country.

"This disagreement underlines how unstable the Executive is. People will be very worried that this arrangement could come unstuck at any given moment.

"I have very serious concerns that the recent budget could have a negative impact on our health service. Alliance has led the way in campaigning for the introduction of free personal care for older people. We have also been at the forefront of the push for the Bamford Report to be implemented to improve our mental health services. How, with the current budget can these important and radical steps be taken?"

ENDS