Michael Woods (Dublin North East, Fianna Fail)

This historic and hugely important Bill deserves our full attention. The health system embraces so many different aspects that affect everyone, whether it is dental treatment or care for old age pensioners, those suffering from disabilities or people who need help to lead healthier lifestyles. The health service is much broader now than it was in the past. Ten, 15 or even 30 years ago, the parameters of the health service were much narrower. Nowadays people complain about the numbers of staff working in the health service but that service has expanded and developed to meet people's needs in the modern age. As regards the increased numbers working in administration and other branches of the health service, people forget that a hospital porter brings a patient to theatre for an operation, not the consultant.

I have had recent experience of patient services because I could not get through to a particular consultant, even via his secretary, on behalf of a medical card patient. When I contacted patient services, however, they got in touch with the consultant who said he recognised the urgency of the situation and would look after the person very shortly. Communications within the health system, therefore, have improved tremendously. The case to which I referred was in Beaumont Hospital which deals with a huge volume of patients.

Major expansion and development have occurred in the health service, particularly in the eastern region. As the Tánaiste said, this development is urgent. She stressed the importance of getting clear results and value for money, and there is big pressure to do that. As public representatives, we are involved at the customer end and we want to see a caring health system. While we must pursue value for money, eliminate waste and be prepared to change, the health service must adopt a caring approach and have a human face. I would add those requirements to that of value for money. We are familiar with this from the point of view of nurses and others working in the hospital services generally.

The Tánaiste also said that we no longer need the 273 people who serve on separate health boards in addition to the 166 Members of the Dáil and 60 Senators. A new system is about to be introduced. Those people have given us tremendous service over the years. While the quality of service has varied because people vary, it would be a pity not to recognise the service they have given. We will have a single unified health service with the dissolution of the Eastern Regional Health Authority, the health boards and the agencies. I thank all those who have worked in these agencies and services for their work, commitment and vocational contribution, which in many cases have been exceptional.

I dealt with health board members during the three periods when I was Minister for Health. When those members worked together on practical problems they were prepared to find solutions. The important word is "together". As Minister, I brought representatives of each health board together once a month. I discussed the issues and the savings required. Afterwards we had a light lunch around the same table. I do not want people to believe we went off to a hotel or something.

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