John Gormley

Green Party Health spokesperson John Gormley TD said the Government’s ‘North South survey of children’s oral health in Ireland’, published today, ignored the rise in dental fluorosis in young people and over-stated the effectiveness of water fluoridation.

Deputy Gormley said: “The Department of Health needs to examine fluorosis – excess fluoride which marks teeth and which has risen dramatically among young people – between fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas. Fluorosis, which is a manifestation of fluoride overload, needs to be tackled as a matter of urgency. (more…)

– PDs oversee collapse of competition in health insurance market

Commenting on BUPA’s decision today to withdraw from Ireland, Green Party Health spokesperson John Gormley TD said: “Today’s news is a body blow for Mary Harney’s health strategy. BUPA had given Minister Harney plenty of notice of their intentions, yet she chose to ignore the reality.

“Her intention to introduce greater competition to the health insurance market has failed. BUPA’s exit now leaves the VHI with an unchallengeable monopoly. Under the circumstances it would be most unwise for the VHI to be allowed to privatise.

“Today’s decision should also prompt Mary Harney to revisit the question of risk equalisation. While the concept of community rating and risk equalisation makes sense, the methods of implementing them need to be examined. In particular, BUPA’s proposal to the Dáil’s health committee that patients, rather than money, be transferred between insurance companies in order to balance risk should now be examined in greater detail.

“I welcome the fact that at the very least, those insured by BUPA will continue to be covered until the renewal of their premium.”

– Minister’s comments on psychiatric services for the young unacceptable

Green Party Health spokesperson John Gormley TD today criticised the Government for its shocking neglect of young people in need of psychiatric services. Deputy Gormley also took to task Tim O’Malley, the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, for his recent comments to the media. (more…)

Mr. Gormley: I thank the Minister of State for outlining these proposals in detail.  He will have the full support of the House for this Bill.  I will not speak for long because most of the issues have been covered.

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562. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Defence if he will explain the much higher than average absenteeism rates in the Defence Forces and the serious shortage of medical staff; the way he will address both of these problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38478/06] (more…)

Green Party Chairman and Health spokesperson John Gormley TD urged the Irish authorities to follow the example of the UK, which today announced a ban on the advertisement of junk food during children’s TV programmes. The British communications regulator Ofcom announced a total ban on junk food advertising around all children’s programming, on children’s TV channels and around all programmes that have a ‘particular appeal’ to under 16-year-olds. (more…)

– Profit-before-people philosophy leading to serious problems

Reacting to the HSE’s decision to suspend admissions in five nursing homes in counties Dublin and Wicklow, the Green Party today said that many nursing homes were cutting corners in order to increase profits. Party Health spokesperson John Gormley TD raised the issue in the Dáil today, and called on the Minister for Health Mary Harney to explain what she knew about the state of Ireland’s nursing homes. He also insisted that a robust and independent inspection system be set up without delay. (more…)

Mr. Gormley: Given the horrific problems in our nursing homes, does the Tánaiste intend to reconsider legislation in respect of tax relief for the owners of nursing homes?  It is the Government’s profit before people philosophy that is the root cause of this. 

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Statement by Green Party Health spokesperson and TD for Dublin South East John Gormley:

“Professor Des O’Neill’s report on the Leas Cross nursing home in north Dublin is distressing reading. It is a damning indictment of the Fianna Fáil/PD position on for-profit care and it confirms, unfortunately, much of what I have said in the Dáil about the pitiful state of nursing homes in Ireland. I have made these statements on information given to me by concerned health workers. Sub-standard care of our elderly is much more prevalent than Mary Harney would like us to believe. (more…)

Mr. Gormley: Will the Tánaiste join me in condemning the comments of certain irresponsible public representatives that is all right to drink and drive?  Does he agree that the Government’s own attitude to our biggest drug problem, alcohol, is somewhat ambivalent?

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