Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank HIQA for its presentation and wish Mr. McEnery every success in his new role. I know he will focus on the job. Since we first met with HIQA representatives in this committee, including Ms Tracey Cooper and Mr. Marty Whelan, I have found them honest and open. This has led the current position and status of HIQA. I believe it is important we recognise HIQA as the eyes and ears of our communities and of people whose loved ones are in hospitals or who need care.

My advice to the new chairman is not to get lost in the job or to spend his time behind the desk. He must be the eyes and ears of the community. We do not want another HSE or organisation that is top heavy with management or where the service is not provided at ground level. I heard a debate the other day in which it was argued that people who become members of parliament should have a degree. My opinion on that is there is nothing better than common sense and the ability to deal well with people. That is what HIQA should be about. It should be about having the common touch and being able to identify with people.

In the past few months, HIQA has proved it can do this and where it has seen faults in the services, it has tried to bring about a change. Unfortunately for some people, this has meant some places have had to close. My main advice to HIQA is that its staff should not be brought in to sit behind a desk, but to go out to do the job they are being paid to do. We do not need more people sitting behind desks. As politicians the golden rule for us is that while this is the job in here, the bigger job is outside. If we do not communicate with the people we represent, we do not get re-elected.