Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

The Health Bill 2006 is a central element of the health service reform programme. The Bill provides for the establishment of the Health Information and Quality Authority and the Office of the Chief Inspector of Social Services with specific statutory functions.

I always welcome the presence of the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, and I look forward to seeing him in Tallaght tomorrow, when he will accompany the Taoiseach to An Cosán in Jobstown to formally launch the childhood development initiative and a place for children in west Tallaght. The project in west Tallaght, the young Ballymun project and the northside partnership project were invited by the Minister of State to submit proposals for funding. He has recently confirmed that the Tallaght application was successful and that a service level agreement has been reached. In the context of this discussion on health, it is important that we welcome initiatives on caring for children.

Yesterday, the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister for Social and Family Affairs announced a initiative by the Government on social inclusion. The area the Minister of State will visit tomorrow has benefited significantly from the enlightened approach in recent times to social inclusion. I am in this House as the successor to the long-serving Tallaght-based Deputy, Chris Flood, who as a Minister of State pursued the goal of social inclusion. I am glad that I have been able to take up the torch in that regard.

I cannot engage in debate on any health matter without referring to Tallaght Hospital and the challenges it faces. I always speak positively about that hospital and health matters generally in the Tallaght area. I bring my own life experiences to my political work, including the health scare I experienced when I had a mild heart attack eight years ago. We can criticise hospital services but I am proof of the positive effects hospitals can have. I must give credit for my recovery to the cardiac rehabilitation staff in Tallaght, who convinced me, when I was not sure, that I should run for election.

I became a member of the Eastern Health Board in 1994 and was the founder chairman of the South-Western Area Health Board. I listened carefully to the issues raised this morning by Deputy Callely, who was also a former health board chairman. The experience I gained from my time on the health board in terms of visiting hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions throughout the eastern region gave me a clear insight into the health system. I am not afraid to admit that I questioned the abolition of a system in which visiting committees and public representatives had regular opportunities to visit hospitals. I do not want to be disloyal with regard to decisions made by the Government but I believe processes should be in place which allow accountability to be challenged and health institutions to be visited. Given the issues that have arisen in recent times, it is important that we understand the need for accountability.

The Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim O'Malley, is aware of my particular interest in the issues that come within his remit. I congratulate him in this regard. Within the context of today's debate, it is important he should understand the concerns of Members in respect of establishments and institutions.

I have often visited homes and other residences. I have told the Minister of State a number of times that several weeks ago, I visited the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum with other colleagues. While this was not my first visit, it was a profound experience and such occasions are challenging. One is anxious that those who may be a danger to themselves or to others should have secure accommodation. At the same time, issues are often raised during such visits and some were raised with the delegation. It was organised by Newstalk 106 arising from a discussion that was broadcast one night. I was accompanied by Deputy McManus of the Labour Party and Dr. James Reilly from north Dublin, who is a former member of the health board and has a background in the Irish Medical Organisation and we saw things that worried us. The Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, has taken a particular interest in this subject and I am aware he is considering the challenges facing institutions such as the Central Mental Hospital. It is important for him to so do and that Members are not afraid to raise such matters.

There has been much recent talk on hospital services. This important issue was raised during Leaders' Questions last Tuesday and again yesterday, when I had the opportunity to refer to it. I will not comment on who goes to what hospital on guided tours except to state that many Members, particularly those on the Opposition benches, are suddenly talking about the general election. I will not lose my focus. As far as I am concerned, unless the Taoiseach decides otherwise, no election is imminent. He made that point last Tuesday. Until a few years ago the Taoiseach of the day called the election, after which all the candidates were selected. I was selected two years ago, which is different. Previously however, candidates would knock on doors for three weeks. At present, Members are in the midst of the longest-ever election campaign in the history of the State. It has certainly been the longest of my lifetime. This has created a false atmosphere and I presume Opposition Members have been given a script because they are all mentioning it.

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