David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The HSE will remain the employer and there will be a strong HSE centre. Is that not correct? The business case goes on to state that HSE centre will provide all corporate functions. Is that correct? It states that "RHAs are divisions within HSE Centre". In other words, HSE centre will provide central procurement, central finance control, central HR functions and ICT support. When the Minister was going into Cabinet he was asked what was his vision for this and he stated that we will have a leaner HSE at the centre. Option 3 is the one that refers to having a leaner HSE centre but the Government has not gone for that option. It says it in the business case. Option 2, which is the one the Government has gone for, refers to a strong HSE centre. We have not gone for a leaner HSE centre. There is not even going to be a legal underpinning for these RHAs. They will not have any powers or responsibilities in respect of corporate functions. We know that Mr. Reid has for many years made a case for the strong HSE centre to remain. Has he won out here? That question is for Mr. Watt.