Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I think I have answered most of the questions. On the regulatory bodies, all the professions in medicine and the related areas have their own regulatory bodies for the individuals in the professions concerned. The Medical Council, the Pharmaceutical Council and An Bord Altranais regulate the behaviour and standards of their staff.

There is no licensing authority for hospitals, either public or private. That is an issue that arises. I understand it is not simple to do but I accept it should be done. We never had such an authority. The procedure is voluntary and always has been, but it is an issue that arises.

I answered on the issue of putting into sectoral legislation the means whereby people may be able to give information.

The findings and recommendations will be of considerable benefit. As I stated yesterday, we completed the heads of the medical practitioners Bill a long time ago. These findings will be used to complete that Bill and bring forward the preparation of a new medical practitioners Bill.

There also has been considerable work done on the health information and quality authority Bill by the Department of Health and Children. Of course, as I mentioned, the current consultant contract negotiations have commenced and we can also take account of the findings and the recommendations in that regard. These issues will be followed up.

As I stated earlier, files were removed. I am not too sure there was a connection between the break-in in the judge's office but obviously these are matters that the Garda will look at. The full report, hopefully with consultation with the judge, would help to narrow down some of the issues that the Garda will be able to follow up from its earlier report.

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