Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

On the health issue, the Government has carefully developed the health strategy in recent years and it has implemented the structural, institutional changes by moving from the health boards to the Health Service Executive. The key changes and positions in the HSE are being organised and implemented on a national basis. None of that has been changed. It was decided that this policy, by and large, would rest with the Department of Health and Children while the implementation and management of day-to-day activity would be the responsibility of the HSE. There is interaction daily between the Department and the HSE on a range of issues. All the initiatives that we have implemented and worked on, whether they relate to the capital programme, improving the medical card scheme, which was a major issue a year ago, or the national treatment purchase fund, which has significantly reduced waiting lists, will continue successfully.

When Deputy Sargent wanted us to move on the transport infrastructure Bill a year ago——

See this speech in context