Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

I move:

That Dáil Éireann, pursuant to Standing Order 128(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, directs that the Health (Amendment) Bill 2004 in whole be recommitted to a committee of the whole House.

I propose that the Bill be recommitted because what has happened here is grossly unsatisfactory. Important democratic accountability is being withdrawn in legislation without any alternative being provided, despite the fact that the Minister promised accountability would be retained in the system. The legislation will have an extraordinary impact in terms of decisions being made by unelected persons who will also now be unaccountable. Despite the fact that the Minister continues to make assurances, he has not brought forward any system of accountability in the Bill, either as published or as amended on Committee Stage, commensurate with what is in place.

I brought forward a Committee Stage amendment seeking that this alternative be presented to us but it was ruled out of order. We now have a Report Stage amendment being tabled by the Minister which may not be discussed as it is last in the list of amendments. It should have been tabled on Committee Stage.

I do not believe the issue of democratic accountability has been adequately dealt with by Parliament. For many years people have depended on the fact that there was accountability in the system to protect their interests. The protection provided for the people, not just by their public representatives being members for health boards, but also through professional representation is being withdrawn without proper consideration or debate. The Government is pursuing an intensely contentious set of reforms. We have been told doctors will replace nurses. Frankly——

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