Cavan Labour Cllr speaks of surprise at Shortall's resignation

Damian McCarney A Cavan Town Labour councillor spoke of his surprise at the resignation of his party colleague Junior Minister Róisín Shortall. Deputy Shortall resigned her cabinet post and party whip on Wednesday evening stating lack of support for her decision. "I was surpised when the announcement was made. Obviously I've known Roisin for a good few years and I know she's dedicated to her work so it must have been a big decision to make. "I know she was very committed to the areas that she was working on in health - particularly primary care and GP care." When asked if he thinks she should have received more support from Labour colleagues, he responded: "I wouldn't have known what kind of conversations on at the parliamentary party, but I know that she would be a person who would have a lot of support from party members right across the country." He described Ms Shortall as a "committed Labour Party person" who he has "the height of respect for." Because Labour doesn't have TDs in every constituency, each of the party's deputies would have 'adopted' a constituency without Labour representation to raise issues in the Dail. Ms Shortall worked with Cllr Cullen in raising issues regarding Cavan-Monaghan in the past. "She would have been a contact person if we ever wanted something raised in the Dail." Cllr Cullen said that her standing down hasn't hurt the constituency's representation in the Dail, as the local Labour Party now have numerous deputies to raise Cavan-Monaghan issues on their behalf. Statement of Resignation as Minister of State with responsibility for Primary Care at the Department of Health: It is with regret that I have today tendered my resignation as Minister of State at the Department of Health to An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny. I have also informed the Tánaiste, Eamon Gilmore, that I am resigning the Parliamentary Labour Party whip. It is no longer possible for me to fulfil my role as Minister of State for Primary Care because of lack of support for the reforms in the programme for government and the values which underpin it. The public have a right to expect that decisions on health infrastructure and staffing will be made in the public interest based on health need and not driven by other concerns. This decision comes after repeated and lengthy efforts to reach agreement on the implementation of the Programme for Government both within the Department of Health and across Government. Róisín Shortall