Kelly asks Minister Howlin to "step up to the mark" on South East Radio.

Responding to a under siege Minister Brendan Howlins statement this morning stating that he would do whatever was necessary to safeguard the future of the country, Cllr Anthony Kelly went on air and asked the Minister to step up to the mark and safeguard Wexford General Hospital.

This all comes following the circulation of intense rumours within Wexford General Hospital of imminent cuts. According to Morning Mix presenter Alan Corcoran, up to 18 nurses, several clerical staff and 2.5 security guards are to be laid off, with many units being shut down on a temporary basis including an operating theatre.

Rumours have also emerged this morning that the domino midwife service is to be axed at the hospital, which will put increased pressure on the already busy maternity unit.

Wexford Sinn Féin have been vocal in calling for Wexford’s three government TDs, Paul Kehoe, Liam Twomey and Brendan Howlin to come forward and guarantee our hospitals future. Minister Howlin has claimed that political opponents are simply attacking him. However, it was the Minister who venomously attacked Fianna Fail TDs on the same issue last year when he was in opposition.

Cllr Anthony Kelly told the Morning Mix programme that Wexford Sinn Féin were carefully monitoring the situation at the hospital and that plans were already in place to go back on the streets protesting if circumstances should demand it.