Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The report on the communication process undertaken following the Government's decision on health service reform was published last November and I gave all the details on this issue. At that stage, we were requested to broaden the team and the scope and to listen to the concerns. The case was made that in the evening, it would be a nurse-led service and the demand was for a medical-led service. A team of 15 of the health service employers joined the health reform project office within the Department to work with it. The board of the interim health service executive was appointed in November. The first meeting took place early in the year. The national steering committee to oversee the implementation reform programme has been appointed. The implementation groups in respect of the Hanly report, the specific issue the Deputy raised, in the east coast area and in the North Western Health Board were also announced. The acute hospital network was announced at the end of January.

As part of the above, the Minister clarified that both in Ennis and in Nenagh, there would be a doctor-led service. Subsequently, that demand extended to other areas. He also clarified that there would be a doctor-led service in Dundalk and Monaghan. Obviously, that does not cover the highly specialist areas people want, but at least it deals with the accident and emergency-type or more local services provided by having a doctor on site. That dealt with the issue. That is now the policy and the Minister has stated that in a number of the health board areas he has visited. He has given letters and has stated the position clearly.

In regard to cancer, there is no doubt that if one lives near major hospitals and if something goes wrong, one is in a more advantageous position. I will not argue with Deputy Ó Caoláin on that basis. If one lives, as I do, a short distance from Beaumont and the Mater hospitals and if something goes wrong, one is more fortunate than if one lived on the Dingle peninsula, the Inishowen peninsula——

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