Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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While I see what the Chairman is saying, I am unsure about that. Even were the capacity report to conclude that 50% more staff members were required, that would not address some of the issues discussed today, including some serious issues such as people being in senior management positions without the skills to provide that service. This probably is the key starting point as to why the service being provided is as it is, notwithstanding the wonderful people who, while desperately lacking in morale, are trying to provide those services. Consequently, I am unsure whether waiting until January is sufficient.

My second point concerns the lack of authority of the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, to make sure the recommendations are enforced that was mentioned earlier. That is the job of the joint committee and arising from this meeting, the strongest of letters should be sent to the Minister stating it is not the case that the recommendations should be implemented but that they absolutely must be implemented. Moreover, if they are not - within a period of perhaps three months - somebody should appear before the joint committee to explain why they have not been implemented and if delays have arisen with regard to the implementation, what steps are being taken to make sure they will be implemented. I ask that such a letter be written today.