McCarthy rages about Empey hypocrisy on free personal care

5.11.02pm GMT Wed 7th Dec 2005

Alliance Party Health spokesperson Kieran McCarthy has hit out at the hypocrisy of Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey on the issue of free personal care for the elderly.

The Strangford MLA stated: "Sir Reg's comments alleging he is in favour of free personal care for the elderly are the height of hypocrisy. If he is so in favour of it, why did he vote against it during the last Assembly?

"Sir Reg is deliberately misleading the public here by pretending he favours this. The simple fact is that when he had the opportunity and responsiblity to implement this policy, he failed abjectly to do so.

"Let us stick to the facts. Alliance has led the way in seeking free personal care for the elderly, unlike the other parties we have the means of saving money to be able to afford to implement this without rates hikes, and we have held a consistent line on this. Unionists and

Nationalists, on the other hand, voted against free personal care and would obviously rather spend money on segregation. Parties must be judged on actions, not words.

"This shows the two-faced nature of the tribal parties. They say one thing while the direct rulers are in charge, and then do another when we have devolved government.

"Let us hope for a quick return to devolution so that the people can see this hypocrisy in action."

ENDS