Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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We will not fall out over it, but it seems somewhat redundant. It is almost a by-the-way suggestion that these are some things which the Minister may consider. Primary legislation is not the place for that.

The idea of an annual health needs assessment is welcome. However, it is not currently carried out by the HSE and, therefore, it will require very significant new capabilities. The HSE will need healthcare econometricians and a significant amount of new data that do not currently exist, are not collected very well or are not comparable between regions. Is the Minister of State satisfied that when the Bill is passed, the HSE will be able to comply with it and will have the resources, personnel and training to do so? When is it expected that the HSE will start crunching the numbers on this issue?