Harney refuses SF meeting on all-ireland suicide strategy

[factual]

Mary Harney - wo is in charge of health - has refused to meet Gerry Adams to talk about an all Ireland strategy to address Ireland's high suicide rate.

Here is a situation where Sinn Fein want to help the worst off in Irish society through an all-Ireland strategy and Mary Harney isn't interested.

Gerry Adams contrasts the attitude of British and Irish ministers:

"In the last 14 months I have met two British Health Ministers, statutory agencies and others, including families, to discuss this issue, but Mary Harney refuses to meet me. Why? Is an Irish government Minister less concerned than a British Minister with the deaths of hundreds of Irish people, mainly young people, as a result of suicide?"

http://www.sinnfein.ie/news/detail/15503

[jady88]

Mary Harney - wo is in charge of health - has refused to meet Gerry Adams to talk about an all Ireland strategy to address Ireland's high suicide rate.

Here is a situation where Sinn Fein want to help the worst off in Irish society through an all-Ireland strategy and Mary Harney isn't interested.

Gerry Adams contrasts the attitude of British and Irish ministers:

"In the last 14 months I have met two British Health Ministers, statutory agencies and others, including families, to discuss this issue, but Mary Harney refuses to meet me. Why? Is an Irish government Minister less concerned than a British Minister with the deaths of hundreds of Irish people, mainly young people, as a result of suicide?"

http://www.sinnfein.ie/news/detail/15503

Gerry Adams knew full well that such a meeting was impossible and thus by proposing it anyway shows that he is merely searching for propaganda. Moreover the fact that this post refrences to the Sinn Fein website indicates a grossly unfair bias.

Ms Harney regected this becasue it is not an issue which can be transposed across the border, unlike roads etc. Nothing would have been achievced by this meeting. As for the two British Health ministers maybe someone should point it out to Gerry that the North is their jurastiction unlike M. Harney. Mr Adams discredits himself and the party by pulling weak stunts like these.

[Pidge]

How silly. Adams seems to be equating not meeting him with not caring about an issue.

[factual]

How silly. Adams seems to be equating not meeting him with not caring about an issue.

It isn't silly.

He is pointing out that Mary Harney seems to care less about Irish suicide than a British minister.

[jady88]

How silly. Adams seems to be equating not meeting him with not caring about an issue.

It isn't silly.

He is pointing out that Mary Harney seems to care less about Irish suicide than a British minister.

No Gerry is looking for attention thats it. The meeting would have achieved nothing and thus have been a waste of time for an already loaded minister. Perhaps Gerry should do something constructive to benifit this worhtwhile cause like working with a charity instead of using it as election fodder

[campbeca]

Are shinners not ashamed to see their party reduced silly political stunts like the rest of us?

[White Horse]

How silly. Adams seems to be equating not meeting him with not caring about an issue.

It isn't silly.

He is pointing out that Mary Harney seems to care less about Irish suicide than a British minister.

Yes that is what he is trying to do.

However, the reality is that he is a British MP and the authorities there are obligated to see him.

However, the Irish government is not obligated to meet a foreign politician to discuss matters of national policy.

[AndrewM]

How silly. Adams seems to be equating not meeting him with not caring about an issue.

It isn't silly.

He is pointing out that Mary Harney seems to care less about Irish suicide than a British minister.

For the most part, SF can only get publicity when meeting with someone important [look at how they rolled out candidates at No. 10]. Lacking any coherent, origional,specific, costed policies, they need chances for photo ops. Not doubt if they had agreed, some Dail candidate would be dragged along for the cameras after.

Pointless, pointless excercise. Maybe if Adams promised not to publicise it, then she might agree? But really, its using suicide to get another TD.

[Pidge]

How silly. Adams seems to be equating not meeting him with not caring about an issue.

It isn't silly.

He is pointing out that Mary Harney seems to care less about Irish suicide than a British minister.

How does meeting Gerry Adams equate with caring about Irish suicide?

How would meeting Gerry Adams help prevent Irish suicide?

[factual]

How does meeting Gerry Adams equate with caring about Irish suicide?

Because he wants to raise the issue with her to see what can be done. British ministers have met him several times to see what can be done.

How would meeting Gerry Adams help prevent Irish suicide?

Because Gerry Adams wants to get her to put it higher on her agenda and to take an all-Ireland approach.