Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007, the purpose of which is to deal with the legal issues in respect of the Health (Corporate Bodies) Act 1961 and to amend the Medical Practitioners Act 2007.

This Bill directly affects Beaumont Hospital, which is located in my constituency. Following a detailed analysis, the Attorney General has concluded that the powers conferred on the Minister for Health and Children by section 3 of the Act are so broad that there is a serious risk, in the event of a constitutional challenge being brought, that the provisions of the Act will be held to be invalid having regard to the provisions of Article 15.2 of the Constitution. He has recommended that as a matter of urgency, primary legislation should be re-enacted to confirm the orders that have been made to date under the Act and to enable certain protective actions to be taken by some of the bodies.

The Bill directly concerns Beaumont Hospital in my constituency. I welcome the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, to the debate and also the announcement in the Budget Statement of an additional allocation of €2.5 million for cystic fibrosis services at the hospital. This is a major start in rolling out and developing services for the families of children and adults with cystic fibrosis. The extra €2.5 million is to be allocated in 2008, but there will also be other developments at the hospital.

During the last debate on health, I was subject to considerable criticism and was misrepresented by sections of the House and the media over why I had entered government to deliver services for Dublin North-Central, in addition to national services. In addition to the extra €2.5 million to be allocated for cystic fibrosis services at Beaumont Hospital, an extra €35 million will be allocated for the roll-out of national cancer services, as is occurring. Another €3 million will be delivered to develop cancer services at Beaumont Hospital. I welcome this step, as it is progressive and sensible for the city. I welcome the fact that the hospital has been nominated as one of the designated cancer care centres.

There is a considerable plan for an independent hospital on the site of Beaumont Hospital. It will work with the public hospital, provide extra funds and share the resources, services and consultants. This will free up over 170 beds and result in a major investment in the accident and emergency services. This will not take ten or 15 years but two. I entered politics to deliver on health and disability issues. Most objective commentators will now realise this is becoming a reality. In the next two years there is to be a major investment in Beaumont Hospital and I am confident it will happen.

In my area of Dublin North-Central, there has been a major improvement in education services in Marino. Furthermore, 117 new employees have been deployed to front-line health services on the north side since 5 December. Beaumont Hospital has had 110 new members of staff appointed to front-line services. Therefore, the work has already begun and will continue in the next two years. I welcome it and pushed for it very strongly in my agreement with the Taoiseach.

In the Dáil last week, I mentioned the additional allocations of €50 million for disability services and €25 million for the care of the elderly. These are welcome and important additional allocations and should be considered in this debate. I pushed the Government very strongly for them. I committed to securing them when elected and I intend to deliver on all my promises.

I prefer the phrase "independent hospitals" to "co-located hospitals". I would appreciate it if Members were straight in this debate and were less hypocritical. The reality is that 53% of citizens participate in private health schemes. My agenda is and always will be to protect the rights of all patients, particularly those from the poorer sections of society. There are already private beds in public hospitals — this is co-location. My broader vision for a universal health insurance scheme for all is based on need rather than money. However, the reality is that it will not happen in the next five years. Do Members want me to turn my back on major funding and investment for Beaumont Hospital? I have seen the plans and details and, having spoken regularly to staff at the hospital, know they are in favour of the proposal. Many Members support it privately, yet they use it to attack me in the House.

The plan for the independent hospital on the Beaumont Hospital site will contribute greatly to the development of the public hospital. This is a key consideration. The public hospital will also receive millions of euro from the lease of the land and this money will be pumped into its services. Many have ignored this. I have seen the exact figures but will not damage the integrity of the planning process for the proposed independent hospital by mentioning them. The millions of euro will represent a very important investment in the accident and emergency services at the hospital.

Some Deputies have asked the number of beds to be provided at Beaumont Hospital. The figure is in the region of 170. This is a major breakthrough for the hospital and its staff. I cannot walk away from a serious investment such as that proposed when I see no other viable option. It is a question of delivering services for people in my constituency of Dublin North-Central. It is also about creating new jobs.

I recently met the Minister for Health and Children to discuss services for people with disabilities and cystic fibrosis and thank her for meeting me. The meeting was very positive. On 3 December, I met Mr. Michael Cullen and his team from the Beacon Medical Group to debate co-location, including the issues raised by many Deputies in the House today. Afterwards I considered the facts pertaining to the Beaumont Hospital project in an objective way and when I did, I realised it was very impressive. It is a matter of pooling resources, investing in new services, doing up the entrance to the public hospital and obtaining millions of euro from the lease of land to the private hospital. The overall cost of the project is in the region of €254 million. It will include 170 inpatient beds, six high-tech theatre facilities that will employ 510 staff and complement the main hospital with extra support services on-site and millions of euro. It is hoped construction will commence in May 2008. If all goes well, as I believe it will, the project could be completed by 2010.

The reality is that 53% of people are talking along these lines. I would love a wider debate on the health service and accept that we need reform thereof and investment therein but we should note that the budget has provided for an increase in funding for the development of services. Certain services have been prioritised, which I welcome. I referred to cystic fibrosis services for Beaumont Hospital but there are also plans for the roll-out of such key services at St. Vincent's Hospital. Despite the downturn in the economy, we have managed to roll-out and develop the planned services.

The new facilities will increase the pool of health professionals working in the health system, which is necessary. The population is increasing; it is indicated in today's newspapers that it is now over 4 million. We, therefore, need to increase capacity and investment. The population will soon rise to 5 million. Consequently, we need to be sensible, radical and open to new ideas. The way forward is to ensure every patient who enters a hospital is treated with respect and dignity. This is a very important message. Society is about people; without people there is no society. I would like to redevelop respect, trust and community spirit by insisting on people-centred policies and actions.

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