9 July 1997
By Tom Shiel
Fine Gael has threatened to legally challenge a decision by the new Minister for Health, Brian Cowen to rescind the appointment of Mayo County Councillor Ernie Caffrey along with former Roscommon TD John Connor and Colm Keaveney to the Western Health Board.
The appointments, made by outgoing Minister Michael Noonan, were only days old when the new Minister declared them "unsatisfactory and invalid".
Mr Cowen then re-appointed Castlebar UDC member Sean Bourke to the Board as well as former Roscommon TD Terry Leyden and Martin McHugh (Galway).
The Minister's actions were condemned by Fine Gael members at Monday's Health Board meeting in Carraroe. Collr Padraig McCormack said the three Fine Gael appointees were entitled to serve five years on the authority.
Mr John Martin Flannery (Mayo) warned that Fine Gael will legally challenge the matter. "It will be taken to whatever lengths it has to go", he stated.
Collr Padraig Cosgrove (Mayo) stated; "We have a new name for the Minister. He should be called 'The Terminator'.
Glenamaddy based Councillor Tom Hussey was unanimously elected Chairman of the Health Board while Councillor Pat Kilbane (Achill) was elected vice-chairman.
