Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

The Minister of State conveniently tries to separate the Prospectus report from the Brennan report, which argued for health board representation for local public representatives, and the Hanly report, even though the Government has always argued that the three are linked and part of an integrated set of health reform proposals. He cannot have it both ways. However, I compliment him — he represents his party so well — when it comes to speaking out of both sides of his mouth.

This is the classic Fianna Fáil reply. It will give something and take it away simultaneously. One has to allow for the fact that promises have been made about the Hanly report in the lead up to the local elections on 11 June. We all know the pattern which has been set down in the past. In the previous example of the general election what was given with one hand before it was taken away with the other once it was out of the way.

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