James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I welcome the Taoiseach's comments regarding an incumbent not being responsible for every minutiae of the health service. That is why we asked for a patient safety authority. All these Deputies to whom people come with stories of misdiagnosis or other issues can pass them on to an identifiable body to deal with them in a positive fashion and in confidence, without the glare of publicity or the need to resort to litigation. This saves everybody much time and money and gives people the justice and clarity needed when a loved one or the people themselves have a problem with the health service.

I disagree with Deputy Stagg on one point. The problem in our health service and the reason the Mater had to close yesterday——

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