MacSharry no-show at Seanad recall no surprise as Senator attended only one out of 27 Health Committee meetings – Harris

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow, Simon Harris, has today (Tuesday) described the no-show by Fianna Fáil Seanad Spokesperson for Health, Marc MacSharry, at today’s recall of the Seanad as hardly surprising given that the Seanator has not been seen at the Oireachtas Health Committee since April 18th and has only attended one meeting since January 24th 2013.

“It is hardly surprising that Senator MacSharry did not bother to show up to the Seanad today, despite the recall being forced through by his Fianna Fáil colleague, Mark Daly, as his attendance at the Oireacthas Health Committee, of which he is Spokesperson for Fianna Fáíl, has been abysmal to say the least.

“Some Members of the Health Committee have actually expressed surprise that Senator MacSharry was on the Committee, such was his lack of attendance. The records of attendance show that the last time the Senator attended a Committee meeting was April 18th, over four months ago. He also failed to attend Committee meetings on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill, instead sending a substitute in his place.

“Prior to April 18th, the last time Senator MacSharry attended Committee meetings was on January 10th. Of the 30 meetings that have taken place since January, Senator MacSharry has only attended four which is a disgraceful record of attendance and shows the seriousness with which Fianna Fáíl views the health portfolio.

“Fianna Fáíl has gone to great lengths to explain why the Seanad should be reformed and not abolished. Based on Senator MacSharry’s attendance at one of the most important Committees in the Oireachtas, he is hardly putting forward a strong case as to why his job should be saved.”