Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I will take the final point first. I agree with Deputy Deenihan that the single medical command structure with a line officer at colonel level will have a positive bearing on the quality of service provided. As I stated in my reply, it is already being done with regard to the appointment of the line officer. Deputy Deenihan also made the point that some of the recommendations could be implemented more speedily. It is important to bear in mind that there are a number of review groups, some of which reported recently and others which will not report until the end of the month. Without knowing the detail of the work it is doing, it seems the report of the clinical review working group, which is due in September, will have a considerable bearing on the direction, notwithstanding the fact that it is making interim monthly reports.

Last week, I visited the Galway office of the Department and the barracks. I got a very good close-up view of the work undertaken there in support of the medical services for military personnel. I was very impressed with the manner in which it is organised. With regard to some of these changes, it is also important that there will be elements on which the representative organisations will have views. I have had the opportunity to meet two of them and I will meet them while I am in the job. It is important that we take on board any concerns or recommendations they may have.

I will have to come back to the Deputy with information on the numbers of personnel in specialisation. I know some are non-nationals but that is the case across all of our health services and I do think anything negative could be taken from it.

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