Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My view is we need to send a very clear signal on our commitment to both reforming and transforming health performance more generally and the Department of Health into the future. The decision on the competition is independent, based on the Top Level Appointments Committee, TLAC, approach and model, but, even for the successor to the incumbent, I would still leave the salary at the level in question. I was a Minister for Health and witnessed at first hand the enormity of issues and the rapidity with which they arrive on the desk of a Secretary General. The Department of Health is not like other Departments. Sometimes in the political debate, it is easy to have a go at these points. I appreciate that and that people have different perspectives, but when it comes to the substance and detail of this, I am of the view that while my approach is not the only approach, it is a correct one. There are other elements we have to put in place as well. We have to fund health to a greater degree and reform it also. A combination of funding and reform will enable us to have a stronger and better health service in the future. We need a more strategic, focused Department once it gets away from firefighting Covid-19.