Fine Gael's Regina Doherty challenged to debate after 'ignorant comments' on healthcare

FINE GAEL's Regina Doherty TD has been challenged to a debate on health policy by Sinn Féin Councillor Darren O'Rourke after the TD attacked the republican party's plans for universal healthcare.

Meath Councillor Darren O'Rourke, a medical scientist who worked at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Louth and as a policy advisor on health, challenged Regina Doherty – whose IT business failed in 2013 with debts of €280,000 – to a debate on healthcare on Wednesday.

Councillor O'Rourke took exception to a statement by Doherty which he described as a “ridiculous attack” on Sinn Féin that displayed a “lack of knowledge of Government finances”.

Regina Doherty wrongly claimed that Sinn Féin had not explained how they would pay for universal healthcare, despite this being comprehensively dealt with in the 84-page 'Better4Health' document that was launched on Tuesday.

“Quite clearly Regina Doherty doesn’t understand the meaning of the fiscal space that her own government has outlined,” O'Rourke said.

Sinn Féin has said its plans will cost €3.3billion over five years. This investment will come from the €8.6billion which the Government says it has in 'fiscal space' – meaning money it can choose to spend or return via tax cuts.

Councillor O'Rourke described Sinn Féin's plan as “comprehensive, costed and deliverable” and says he is happy to debate Regina Doherty any time on it, adding:

“I won’t take a lecture from Regina Doherty on the issue of healthcare given her government’s abysmal record in this regard.

“Despite a promise from Taoiseach Enda Kenny to end the trolley crisis in our hospitals, things have gone from bad to worse and our hospitals are now in a state of chaos.,” he said.

Regina Doherty has yet to respond as to whether she will accept the debate.

• Councillor Darren O'Rourke and Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin at the launch of the party's health document