Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I will try to answer the questions put by Deputies Rabbitte and Sargent. May I do so without interruption?

Over the past 18 months, however, the Government has indicated that it is a major priority to implement the health service reform programme. Therefore, it intends that, on 1 January 2005, the Health Service Executive will take over the management of the health service from the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority. The Government discussed this legislation last week and I understand that Deputy McManus received a copy of it after the Government meeting last week.

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