James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

The Minister is reading out gobbledegook provided by officials at the Department of Health and Children. What is an access officer? We want interpreters to be appointed in order that patients might have their consultations and clinical examinations carried out in a meaningful fashion in order that people will not be misinformed and to avoid misunderstandings. Will the Minister of State indicate the nature of an access officer's job? It seems that such officers will be responsible for arranging certain things but a commitment has not been given in the context of appointing interpreters.

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