Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The health matters of Government have to be communicated to the public and dealt with in the normal way. The Department of Health and Children has its requirements in that regard as well and the person concerned does an excellent job. He is highly respected by the profession with whom he deals. As I said in regard to Mr. O'Connor, health is a huge issue for the Government and future Governments and they need someone with the expertise and ability to fashion the reforms that are necessary and ongoing. The reason the programme manager is paid for by my Department is that there is no limit on the number of advisers attached to my Department.

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