Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

As the Deputy is aware, much analysis of our health system was done in the run-in to the reform programme. The Prospectus, Brennan and other reports all made the central recommendation that the fragmentation of services was not delivering efficient health care. That is a view I strongly share. We would never have established 11 boards to administer health care in a population of 4.3 million. We could not have introduced the cancer control programme if we had that kind of fragmentation.

The role of the HSE is clear. It is responsible, with the chief executive officer as Accounting Officer, for the delivery of services. The Minister remains responsible for policy and has overall responsibility for health. I take an appropriate role. I am not involved in operational issues.

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