Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The health information Bill will be introduced later this year. There are no dates for the other two Bills.

The Deputy mentioned the licensing of health facilities Bill. When we introduce the licensing arrangements, it will represent an improvement to the health service in terms of implementing standards and making sure we provide a level of service that people expect. Where that does not happen, there will be consequences. People often call for licensing legislation but then when the licensing arrangements are established, surveillance and monitoring are carried out and decisions are made on that basis, the reaction from the Opposition is often to say that we should not close this or change that.

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