Sir, - The Health Minister, Brian Cowen, is taking the brunt of the criticism for the crisis in the Health Service. But the buck for this crisis does not stop with him alone.
May I point out that the Irish Hospital Sweepstakes - whose funds were devoted exclusively to hospitals, was replaced with much fanfare by the National Lottery, whose funds have been spread over many areas - with the full support, and in many cases suggestion, of all the political parties.
There is a health crisis - so why doesn't everyone stop looking for someone to blame, and just get down to treating it like a crisis? I suggest that for the next five years all funds from the National Lottery are added to the Government's extra £356 million health funding for next year and the following years.
I'm quite sure the public will see the sense of this and be happier to have a first-class health service, rather than some of the various leisure "luxuries" that have been funded to the tune of over £796 million between 1987 and 1997 by the National Lottery. Yes, these projects might have had their individual merits, but when you have a crisis, you treat it like a crisis.
Anybody who has had to use the accident and emergency units in our hospitals will bear witness to the horrific situation that exists at present, and I am speaking from experience. Doctors and nurses are under terrible strain, overworked and underpaid.
We need this crisis managed professionally like any crisis in a business would be: immediately and efficiently: fewer words and more action to save more lives, please. - Yours, etc., Fred O'Donovan,
Balscadden House,
Howth,
Co Dublin.