Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle. I was just curious because it is what happened on the last one.

This is an odd situation in terms of lines 43 to 47 because what that subsection provides for in real effect is a gagging order against the chief executive. This is an exercise to not only censor but close down the independent utterances of the chief executive. I wonder about the genesis of this subsection. Is it indicative of the difference of opinion regarding the numbers of public beds that might be required between the Minister on the one hand and the chief executive, Professor Drumm of the Health Service Executive, on the other? What is the Minister's and the Department's explanation for the inclusion of such a gagging measure which is counterproductive because it is in the public interest that we have full exposure of such differences of opinion and the dichotomy that can exist between the Minister and the Department on the one hand and the chief executive of the HSE on the other. I would like to hear an explanation of it. The amendment, which seeks to delete same and ensure there is greater public scrutiny, awareness and knowledge of the range of different opinions that exist between both entities, should be accepted.

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