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

I am not, because the overriding issue for HIQA is patient safety. We have a situation where CEOs of a hospital have expressed concern, but does that ring alarm bells for HIQA or does it just say that is normal politics in the play for resources? Does HIQA go in and examine whether there is a serious issue? As a spokesperson on health, I believe we now have a situation where consultants are working under huge stress. I am no friend of consultants, nor am I their enemy. I am not saying this because Senator Crown is here next to me. All of the front-line medical staff in our hospitals, particularly the acute hospitals, are under huge stress and duress. Has HIQA a role to play in that regard?

In regard to social services for adults and children in the disability area, I am aware this is a new area for HIQA and that it has published guidelines on it. However, we need to understand that many of the facilities in place are home for these people. HIQA must be very conscious of this when it conducts inspections. This is true not just in the area of disability, but also in regard to visiting homes for the elderly. I know the overriding consideration must be the safety and quality of care, but HIQA must be mindful that some of these places are home for these people and are the only places they know and are comfortable with. Immediate upheaval because of some problem or other can have a profound impact on these vulnerable people.

I do not expect a response to my points because I must go to the Dáil to deal with a Bill on health. I wish the new chairman of HIQA well and thank HIQA for its willingness to provide information to the committee regularly.