It shows the strength of character of our Ministers who are not afraid to step up to the mark when it is necessary.

The agreement on the consultants' contracts is welcome news. The faster it is up and running, the better. The agreement whereby consultants must have 80% of public patients before they can have 20% of private patients will act as a great incentive to our hospitals. It will lead to further reductions in waiting lists. The quicker this is streamlined for outpatient services, the better. Currently, some waiting times in outpatient services are extreme. Some of our consultants have little regard for patients when it comes to outpatient appointments. In many cases, the patient is not even dealing with a consultant but a junior doctor. I look forward to the time when consultants instead of junior doctors will be dealing with outpatients. I believe this would reduce waiting times too.

Many hospital services are renting accommodation which requires serious investigation by the relevant Minister or the Health Service Executive. In north-east Donegal I am aware of several hospital services renting buildings when some Health Service Executive properties could be used. Major savings would be made if this area was investigated.

I welcome the Bill and it is only right for the Government to streamline the agencies in question into the Department of Health and Children, making them more accountable. The public may be concerned that these services will be removed but that is not the case. It is more a case of good housekeeping. I commend the Bill to the House.

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