Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 5:

In page 11, between lines 24 and 25, to insert the following: "(2) The membership of the board under subsection (1)shall be made up of the following members:

(a) 8 ordinary members and the chairperson, appointed by the Minister;

(b) 1 member, with non-remunerated observer status, nominated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), appointed by the Minister;

(c) 1 member, with non-remunerated observer status, nominated by Dublin City Council who shall be a sitting Dublin City Councillor, appointed by the Minister;

(d) 1 member, with non-remunerated observer status, who shall be a patient advocate, appointed by the Minister.".

This amendment relates to the board and the inclusion of representatives of the workers concerned. We believe that representatives of the ICTU, which I understand will represent the majority of workers in the new hospital, should have the ability to voice the concerns. We equally believe there is a role for patient advocates and that was underlined by the recent Scally report. He went further and said there should always be two in order that one can act as a support for the other. There is a seat for a Dublin City Council representative on the current board of Crumlin hospital and we would like that to continue. It is to broaden the board and make it as relevant and dynamic as it can be by ensuring that a range of interests, groups and voices can be represented.