Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. It is multifaceted and introduces many changes, some of which are desirable but more of which are worrying.

I disagree with the remarks of Deputies O'Sullivan and O'Reilly's on the National Treatment Purchase Fund. I find it is a useful mechanism. Constituents approach me who have been waiting six months for a hip operation, I contact the NTPF and the constituent is given a date for the operation. I do not subscribe to the general opprobrium being heaped upon the National Treatment Purchase Fund.

Section 61 of the Bill provides for the amendment of the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal Act 1997, to remove the age limits in respect of the travel element of the insurance scheme established for persons infected with hepatitis C or HIV through the administration within the State of infected blood or blood products. I welcome that proposal because the legislation discriminated against older people in travelling and related insurance.

I have no difficulty with rationalisation or moving agencies into the Department or the HSE. My difficulty lies with the HSE itself. Where is the guarantee that if the Crisis Pregnancy Agency is moved within the HSE, the HSE will not decide to take its money for another purpose? That is how the HSE operates.

I do not understand why, when we are rationalising one agency, we are establishing another to allocate finances within the health service. The Minister, the Department and the board of the HSE decide on strategy, yet now another agency will distribute the money. What is the purpose of that agency, even if the people on it are very good? There will be four layers, with a superior sounding agency to deal with the distribution of health finances. Will the Minister of State explain that in her reply? I tabled a written question in that regard because I do not understand it.

I pay tribute to Ms Olive Braiden, the first director of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency. She did wonderful pioneering work at a time when even to talk about pregnancy was frowned upon.

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