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Taoiseach Enda Kenny. Thierry Charlier/AP/Press Association Images
Poll
Poll: Should politicians be held accountable for election promises?
Last February, Enda Kenny pledged to “protect and defend” the Roscommon A&E. With the emergency services at the hospital closing tomorrow, we ask: should politicians be held accountable for election promises?
TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY is coming under fire today after the Sunday Business Post revealed how he made a pre-election promise to “protect and defend” the Roscommon A&E – which is due to be closed tomorrow.
In a speech made in Roscommon town on 8 February, and recorded by SBP Political Correspondent Niamh Connolly, Kenny said: “We are committed to maintaining the services at Roscommon General Hospital.”
Kenny then encouraged voters to support local Fine Gael candidates Frank Feighan and Denis Naughten.
However, following a recommendation by HIQA last week, the hospital’s emergency services were downgraded. The A&E department will now be shut down and replaced by a daytime ‘urgent care unit’ for minor injuries, and a GP service out of hours.
What do you think of pre-election pledges in this context: should politicians be held accountable for promises made on the campaign trail, or is it understandable that situations sometimes change?
Poll Results:
They should be held accountable - it's their job to know the facts before making promises (1403)
They should be forgiven - nobody can see into the future (222)
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