Consultation on Lourdes new name
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar agreed on the need for public consultation on the proposed name change to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, during a debate in the Dail last week.
Louth TD Imelda Munster raised the matter of the proposed name change to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda with an Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, and has welcomed the fact that he agreed with her regarding the need for public consultation on the matter.
Speaking in the Dáil chamber Deputy Munster impressed upon an Taoiseach that there is a need for public consultation on the issue. ‘Last week management at the hospital had indicated that they intended to change the name of the hospital without public consultation.’
Deputy Munster said: ‘Our Lady of Lourdes was built and founded by Mother Mary Martin and the Medical Missionaries of Mary and the hospital was funded by the people of Drogheda through fundraising and collection over many years.’
‘People in Drogheda are outraged at the proposal to change the name of the hospital and they deserve to be consulted. Is the General Manager acting beyond her authority on this matter? If there is any change needed at the hospital it is around investment focused on curbing hospital waiting lists, or the provision of the much needed second x-ray room at Our Lady of Lourdes. We don’t need to change the name.’
‘I asked the Taoiseach to clarify whether a consultation process could go ahead on this matter, and he agreed that it should.’
‘I intend to follow up with the Minister for Health on this matter to ensure that the name of our hospital will not be altered against the wishes of the local population. Local people fundraised for this over sixty years ago and will not stand for this decision by hospital management.’
‘Hospital management need to listen to elected representatives, the people, and indeed the Taoiseach, on this matter and engage in a public consultation process.’
Meanwhile Louth TD Peter Fitzpatrick added: ‘ This unnecessary box-ticking exercise - stripping away heritage and culture - has been railroaded through without any consultation with the people of Drogheda and Louth.’
‘ This attempt to whitewash a legacy could begin a journey down slippery slope to get rid of more historic names, objects and landmarks that somehow offend or are not seen as progressive. Names are powerful and they have meanings. They are a link to past generations and our culture, honour and history. This hospital was named by Mother Mary Martin and should remain so in honour of Mother Mary Martin and the community that helped to build it.’