Mulvihill urges Harney – Rethink decision on Base line health for Cobh

Harney Needs To Rethink says Cllr Mulvihill Jnr

Cobh Town councillor John Mulviill jnr is calling on the Minister for Health and Children Mary Harney TD to reconsider her decision not carry out a base line health study in the tow of Cobh.

From 1994 to 2007, 433 people have being diagnosed with cancer in the urban area of Cobh.this figure indicates over that period Cobh urban is 37% higher than what would be expected nationally and 33% higher than what would havebeen expected in the Cork area. These figures mean that every 11 days some one was diagnosed with cancer in cobh urban during 1994 -2007.

It is now 698 days since the minister for the environment John Gormley stated in the Dail on the 2nd July 2008 “Yesterday I spoke to the residents about the idea of a baseline health study and, indeed, it has been suggested by my colleague, Senator Dan Boyle, for quite some time. I am  and I do not profess to have great knowledge in this area. Certainly, a baseline study is to be recommended and I will go to
Cabinet with that.”  The only thing that has happened since then is (based on the trends from 1994-2007) 63 more people in Cobh Urban area  have been diagnose with cancer.

There is also no plan in place to deal with the Haulbowline Site. One has to ask why! If this was in Dublin it would have been dealt with the week after but down here in Cobh we seem to be forgotten about. I am appealing to all our local government reps Deputy Michael Aherne ,Deputy Ned O Keeffe and Fianna Fáil rep on Cobh Town Council  Cllr Michael Martin to use what ever influence they have to ensure this study is carried out with out delay.

I am conscious that this issue may damage the reputation of the town but I feel if there is a problem there as the stats suggest there is no point in sweeping it under the carpet. Every family in Cobh has its own story to tell in relation to this illness, its time for action. Every day we hear of the billions going into the banks the cost of this study is tiny when you compare it to that waste of money.

The people of Cobh deserve answers and reassurance it´s the least they deserve from this government.