Watching Mary Harney nonchalantly telling the nation that up to €1bn may have to be cut from the public health services next year, it became apparent that she does not see it as part of her responsibility to fight at the cabinet table to safeguard funding for this vital service.


Given that she has thus far made no suggestion that the flow of taxpayer's money to the private providers will cease, it would surely be more appropriate to change her title from "Minister for Health" to "Minister for Private Health"


Jim O'Sullivan


Rathedmond


Sligo