Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

Consistent with the national health information strategy, section 7 confers a number of information related functions on HIQA. Those functions are interrelated and are designed to ensure the authority can examine and evaluate existing information systems, provide advice and make recommendations to the Minister and HSE about deficiencies and set appropriate standards for the HSE and service providers.

I understand the intention behind the Deputy's amendment, but believe it could limit HIQA in its information evaluation function and consequently impact adversely on its other information functions. As a specialist body, HIQA must not be constrained in how it examines our complex health information environment. The new section setting out the objectives of HIQA is sufficient to provide proper guidance in this area. The sort of information the Deputy seeks to include in the provision is by its nature the sort of management information with which the HSE should be concerned and is far too detailed to be included in legislation. For these reasons, I do not propose to accept the amendment.

See this speech in context