David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We discussed patient safety advocates and representatives, including issues around the Independent Patient Safety Council. Many patient advocates have their own views about the council, which include the view that it does not work. I will park that for one second. This is an area that should also be kept under review. When we agreed mechanisms and a review of the operation of the Act, we agreed that the Independent Patient Safety Council would do a report at the end of the year or perhaps 12 months after the passing of this legislation. We cannot force it do so but we can certainly ask it to do a report. I assume it would do so and would also look the number of days. If it believed it necessary to reduce the period of seven days, that could be considered. If the Minister is happy to include that in the letter he is sending to the Independent Patient Safety Council, I will be happy to withdraw the amendment.