07/04/2014

Poots Appeals Blood Donation Decision

Sinn Féin MLA Caitríona Ruane said she is appalled that health minister Edwin Poots is appealing a High Court decision, which lifted the ban on the use of blood donated by members of the gay community.

"This is an equality issue. Gay men should have the same rights to help others by donating blood," said the South Down MLA.

"I'm appalled that Edwin Poots is squandering public money to defend discrimination.

"The minister would be better employed tackling the crisis in the health service where people are lying on trolleys for more than 24 hours, dying as a result of errors in their care, where frontline staff are at breaking point and where cover up has been the order of the day.

"The minister and his DUP colleagues need to accept court rulings based on equality, rather than their own religious and personal opinions."

(CVS/CD)


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