The Unkindest Cut of All

The Unkindest Cut of All – Brian Carty, MND Client

I read Fintan O’Toole’s article on Tues. July 15th and found myself in total agreement with its contents. This troubled me as usually upon reading his articles I am left in a state of apoplexy. Something had to be terribly wrong and so it proved. Prior to his departure to the fat cat commissioner brigade in Brussels, Minister Phil Hogan of DOE oversaw Pobal, who distribute €1.2m on behalf of DOE to 31 organisations in The Neurological Association of Ireland,telling them they were getting zilch. Somehow it seemed a fitting tribute to the departing minister. The Taoiseach Enda Kenny, who to his credit has kept the Country afloat these last few years, tells the Dail that these groups, who all work together, can now compete against each other for an indeterminate grant. Divide and conquer? Force these groups to waste valuable time making cases for funding that anyone can see is needed. Shame on you Taoiseach defending the indefensible. New minister at DOE Alan Kelly is now presented with the first opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of the “New Caring Labour Party.” At the stroke of a pen renewing the €1.2m grant might increase the 7.2% of the national poll they received at the Local Elections to 9%. If he pushed the boat out and gave €1.5m they might even reach double figures. As one who has recently been diagnosed with MND I intend to spend what little time and energy I have left working to get this mean decision reversed. Maybe 300 wheelchairs being pushed past the GPO in early 2016 might concentrate political minds. As Albert Reynolds said “Its the little things that trip you up.”