Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Yes. I think Dr. Burke's points on governance are well made but we must also be getting the big elements right. Workforce planning is one of these, as is e-health. We have had sessions here recently where we heard that hardly anything is happening in this regard. We are pursuing this aspect with the Department.

Moving on to the question of the regional health areas, RHAs, separately, as a committee, we have been having briefings with the Department on this matter. I think it is true to say that the Department is shifting its position. We very much welcome the advice from the advisory body. We had Leo Kearns in here and he was very impressive. Many of us, however, cannot help thinking that the actual business case is going to constrain progress in this regard. Three options were set out to the Cabinet and it opted for the second one, which was to do a bit but not to do the whole lot. The RHAs in this scenario will also not be legally underpinned in respect of accountability or responsibility. I would like to hear Dr. Johnston's perspective on this point. Is she of the view that this business case will need to change, if we are to realise the potential of RHAs?