Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 5, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following:“(4) Before specifying priorities or performance targets under this section the Minister shall consult with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children.”.

This is an important amendment that will enhance accountability and the role of the Oireachtas and this committee. The executive is being abolished and more power and responsibility is being vested in the Minister of the day. I have argued consistently, including on Second Stage, that there must be balance, openness and transparency and this forum is the appropriate forum to achieve that. The explanatory memoranda to the Bill state it is "essential the HSE is properly accountable to the Minister for its performance". So it should be but my question is what about the accountability of the Minister to the Oireachtas and, through the Oireachtas, to the people. That is not provided for and it is important that consultation take place.

I mentioned the Minster of the day, to divorce Deputy Reilly from being the holder of the position now. The opportunities we have during the monthly engagement on ministerial questions and the quarterly engagement here cause a limiting of the committee's role. Only during the latter engagement does the committee have an opportunity to engage with the Minister on matters of the day. The amendment would enhance all the Minister is proposing in the Bill while making it a more inclusive engagement. It would rightly give this Oireachtas committee its place in the consultation process. I commend the amendment to the Minister and hope he will accept it on its merit.

Amendment No. 17 states:

In page 19, line 43, after "Executive" to insert the following:“and the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children”.

This seeks a role for the Oireachtas committee in dealing with the service plan. That would be most particular in that section of the Bill - that there be a requirement for more thorough engagement. We only have an opportunity after the event to reflect on the contents of the annual service plan of the HSE. We are invited to regional presentations for our respective constituencies but the current arrangement is deficient. We, as elected voices, have a role to play and a contribution to make.

This amendment would improve consultation and allow for an engagement. although we appreciate where the final say rests; that is not being questioned. It would, however, be a good practice to establish not only during the Minister's tenure but for the future Ministers. All the arguments support the proposition.