Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The issue is the inadequate time to address the seriousness of what is involved. It draws into question the approach of the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, the procedures adopted by the HSE and the operation and management of the health services. This is against the backdrop of a depletion of services at critical hospital sites throughout the country, with communities totally disaffected from the governance and delivery of health care. Here we have the further example of not only the inefficiency but, as I have described, the shambolic approach of those entrusted to oversee and ensure oversight of health care delivery.

Both the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children and the Minister for Finance should come before the House in a more substantive way than the proposal for the Tánaiste to take a ten-minute question and answer session. Where is the accountability in this? As is now the case with most of the parliamentary questions we submit to her, is it no longer her responsibility? She washes her hands of all responsibility in deflecting more than 45% of health related questions from the Opposition to the HSE as a further delaying mechanism. This is completely unacceptable. Will the Tánaiste clarify whether the Minister for Finance is procedurally obliged to attain the approval of the House in this matter? Has that approval been sought? Was it secured yesterday? How do matters stand in this regard?

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