Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes, but it is important to have clarity in this regard because this issue is raised frequently in the context of new advances in medical technologies and medicines pertaining to cancer care and treatments. Where is HIQA in the overall scheme? For example, does it also advise the Irish Medicines Board because of the new generic substitution and other areas for which the Oireachtas or the Government has legislated recently? These are the key observations in the context of the corporate plan.

This discussion has taken place previously and I compliment HIQA on outlining and highlighting the inspection results in the various hospitals and health providers in respect of basic cleanliness, with which this country has been struggling for a number of years. MRSA has been prevalent in hospitals for a number of years.

While the incidence has been reduced dramatically, I have a concern that if front-line service providers or staff are under significant pressure - this is not a criticism but an observation - these infections can recur. Nurses may be in charge of a large number of patients and junior doctors are working very long hours and under pressure to deal with the day's workload. Do individual staff understand the importance of hygiene? Is it sufficiently promoted by hospital management or during staff training?