SDLP councillor urges Swann to reconsider Daisy Hill meeting ‘snub’

Newry SDLP Councillor Killian Feehan brought a motion to the Council in February calling for the new Health Minister to meet with local Councillors to confront local anger and find solutions around the management of Daisy Hill.

Last week, the Health Minister declined to meet with Councillors, instead suggesting that local representatives meet with senior officials at the Department of Health.

Speaking at a meeting of Newry Mourne and Down District Council, SDLP Councillor Killian Feehan said: “I find it incredible that the Health Minister is unwilling to meet with members of our Council to discuss the fears we have about the diminution of services at Daisy Hill, and the implications this will have for the communities we serve.

“We have spent five of the last seven years without a functioning Executive, without Ministers in post, and without any way to challenge decisions made behind closed doors by unelected officials. With the Executive now restored, I believe it is entirely reasonable to expect the Health Minister to accede to a meeting request to discuss such a serious issue.

“I am prepared to speak with anyone, at any time if it will contribute towards the protection and enhancement of services at Daisy Hill, and tonight I proposed that we respond to the correspondence from the Minister indicating our willingness to meet with his officials, but reiterating our insistence that the Minister must be present at that meeting.

“Public representatives must have the courage to confront the issues that matter to local people.

“Daisy Hill campaigners have worked too hard and waited for the return of government for too long to be sidelined and ignored by those who are there to serve us.”