Baxter row

McGuinness attacks Kilcoyne over Baxter

Anton McNulty

A CASTLEBAR town councillor has stood by comments he made criticising Baxter Healthcare for a breach of the Data Protection Act, and has accused Fine Gael of being on the side of big business rather than the rights of the individual.
Cllr Michael Kilcoyne was defending himself following a statement issued by Fine Gael county councillor Paddy McGuinness yesterday (Monday), in which he said that Baxter Healthcare was a vital element in the economy of Castlebar should not be abused by anyone ‘in pursuit of populist advantage’.
On May 13, The Mayo News reported that Baxter Healthcare had been strongly criticised by the Data Protection Commissioner for its inappropriate use of medical reports relating to a former employee. At the time, Cllr Kilcoyne said that such breaches were ‘a serious matter’ and that Baxter should be ‘particularly embarrassed’ by its actions since it was a healthcare company. He said the ‘use of anybody’s confidential medical reports, without the expressed approval of the individual, is a breach of the law and of their fundamental rights under the constitution’.
At yesterday (Monday) evening’s meeting of the Castlebar Electoral Area Committee, Cllr McGuinness (pictured) criticised the castigation of Baxter in the media and said it was irresponsible to use the lapse of Baxter for ‘either personal or political advancement’.
“Baxter has now been found to be in breach of the Date Protection Act. We must all accept that we are all human and that both employers and employees make mistakes from time to time. Indeed in these days of rampant political correctness it is difficult not to. However, it is wrong and irresponsible to use this lapse by Baxter for either personal or political advancement. 
“We should never forget that Baxter have been exemplary employers in Mayo since 1972. Their contribution to the growth and development of Co Mayo, and Castlebar in particular is, rightly, greatly appreciated. It should never be taken for granted, though!” he said.
He added that Travenol, the original owners of Baxter, had decided to withdraw from Castlebar because of an industrial relations issue in the Castlebar plant, and the company’s decision to stay only came after ‘astute negotiations and extraordinary business skills’ by the senior management at Travenol, and the backing of the workers.
However, Cllr Michael Kilcoyne told The Mayo News that he was ‘disappointed but not surprised’ by Cllr McGuinness’s comments, and said he would always stand up for the rights of the individual over big business. He added that he was not against Baxter but was against anybody who broke the law and they were found guilty by an Independent State body.
“It seems to me that they [councillors] are totally ill-informed or unconcerned for the rights of the individual, and for me the rights of the individual are paramount. It seems that the interest of business is more important to Fine Gael than the individual. I always stand up for the rights of the individual and will continue to do so, and Fine Gael are saying that it is okay for big business to walk over the rights of the individual.
“I won’t tip my cap to anyone but I wasn’t the one to find Baxter guilty, it was an Independent body of the State. They found that Baxter broke the law but they are not the only one. Nobody is above the law, whether it is a big corporation or a small individual,” he said.
Cllr McGuinness’s comments were supported by Cllr Johnny Mee who said that the coverage did immense damage to Baxter. He added that they were good people to work for. He was also supported by Cllr Al McDonnell and Cllr Eugene McCormack, and it was agreed that a letter would be sent to the management of Baxter to tell them they had the Council’s full support and in appreciation of their contribution to the town.