Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

No. I do not believe that is fully fair. The Sláintecare report also states that it wants the implementation office to report and be accountable to me. The idea that the Minister for Health has no role in health reform and that my Department would not have an interest in health reform would be a stretch. I agree that there need to be outside external voices. I cannot make the lead executive arrive any quicker. I do not wish to stall the progress on the draft implementation plan. I do not think patients can wait for it and I am proceeding on that basis. I am the Minister for Health. I hold the seal of office. I take my job very seriously. I am responsible for health reform. I would welcome a lead executive. It has a future role to play. We have seen excellent examples with people coming in and reforming cancer services and the likes in this country with huge clinical expertise, communicable abilities and abilities to bring stakeholders with them but I cannot sit idle while we are waiting for this and that is what I am trying to do. We have brought in consultants to help bring an external perspective. We have seven people in the Department of Health working on this issue so I am doing the very best I can to prepare a draft implementation plan, with the emphasis on the word "draft". Obviously, it will be the lead executive's plan and he or she will be responsible for delivering the plan.