John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 259: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children further to Question No. 129 of 22 June 2005, if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this Deputy has received no reply from the Health Service Executive; her views on whether the parliamentary affairs division of the executive is not operating effectively; and if a reply to the question will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31868/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Department of Health and Children is working closely with the Health Service Executive to develop a parliamentary affairs division, under the chief executive, to distribute parliamentary questions and to track them within the HSE to the point of reply. The HSE's parliamentary affairs division, which commenced operations at the beginning of April when a central office was established, has done a great deal of good work to date in devising and implementing the arrangements for dealing with parliamentary questions within the wider HSE. I am satisfied that the HSE is continuing to develop its structures and its capacity for dealing with parliamentary affairs as a matter of priority. It is fully committed to enhancing its performance in providing timely replies to Members of the Oireachtas. I have been advised by the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE that a reply was recently issued in respect of the question referred to by the Deputy. I regret that the HSE did not reply, in this instance, at an earlier date. The Department will be bringing this delay to the attention of the HSE.