Political fall-out over CAT Scan VAT squabble
4 September 1996
Political interference in the Mayo CAT scan fund-raising appeal which recently gave rise to ugly squabbling over the airwaves, has been criticised by the Chairman of Mayo County Council, Mr. Pat McHugh, and co-ordinator of the Mayo CAT scan appeal, Dr. Brendan Murphy, who have issued an appeal to those involved in the political arena to refrain from commenting on the county -wide fund-raising appeal.
Referring specifically to a heated radio confrontation between Michael Ring, T.D. and one of Mayoâs Fianna Fail candidates in the next general election, Beverley Cooper-Flynn, Mr Pat McHugh stated that arrangements regarding the provision of the CAT scan should be left to the committee in charge of fund-raising.
"If they want to direct their energies into some use then let them try to ensure that when the CAT scan is in place that the Government has funds available to have it up and running immediately. "I think their energies would be much better employed in that direction than making a political football out of it" he said.
Dr. Brendan Murphy who expressed his appreciation to the people of Mayo who were working very hard to support and collect funds for the campaign, said it was with great regret and sadness that he had heard the political bickering on the issue over the airwaves.
Their interference could well have an effect on the fund-raising and the last thing the campaign needed was to have a question mark placed over itsâ head by people who didnât know the full facts.
"I stated at the very beginning that this would be a non-political campaign and I appeal to sparring politicians to withdraw and stop spoiling. "If there is any agenda a politician wants to come in on let them make sure the machine is up and running when funds for the structure are put in place" he said.
Controversy in what was originally a wholesome, healthy campaign was fuelled in recent weeks by Beverley Cooper-Flynn who issued a public statement condemning the levying of VAT on funds raised for the CAT scan.
The attack was a misinformed one considering that from the outset, Michael
Cosgrave, Accountant for the CAT scan appeal had assured the committee that
no taxes or VAT were to be levied on funds raised.
Connaught Telegraph - News - September 1996
Connaught Telegraph - Sport - September 1996
