Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In respect of the work programme, I agree 100% with Deputy Catherine Murphy on broadband. It would be timely for us to look at that matter. I would also be interested in hearing the Comptroller and Auditor General's view of the wisdom behind renewing the contract, selling it and then buying it back. I think that is an issue. I am also interested in whether we would have a role in respect of the entire procurement section of the Department dealing with the contracts and tendering. It might be a useful exchange if people felt the time was there.

In respect of medical negligence, at previous meetings I have raised the fact that when we pay out with or without admission of liability. There is no mandatory follow-up training or monitoring, it is just a case of "On we go". This is not to impugn the members of the medical profession involved. As a matter of form and practice, there should be a mandatory process regardless of whether the person is squeaky clean and in the best possible position under the sun or is negligent. That would happen in any other walk of life. It is something we have mentioned here previously for which we should push.