Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

It should be noted that this particular debacle and scandal has continued under three Ministers, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, and the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. When the Taoiseach mentioned former health board members, it was interesting to note that his own Minister sacked all the then serving members and appointed his own coterie of Fianna Fáil supporters who were involved in this matter. Has the Government learned nothing from this scandal? If one examines Mr. Travers's investigation of the illegality of long-stay charges, he stated that corporate governance had failed. This point was echoed by the Ombudsman when she reported to the Joint Committee on Health and Children that the relationship between the Civil Service and the Executive with regard to the business of dealing with consumer interests is not working because the Government has no reform agenda. That is epitomised in this case, where the cost has increased from €9 million to €195 million with no result.

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