James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I will certainly ask HIQA to look at its terms of reference with regard to travel time. This is perfectly reasonable. I have no issue whatsoever with getting independent verification on the golden hour because plenty of information exists and it has been superseded. The figures are quite clear, with 25% better survival rates through going to a high-volume centre even if one must travel an hour and a half.

Deputy Feighan asked me to elaborate on the letter. I do not have the letter so I cannot do so. However, with regard to control over HIQA, I wish to make an important point and I ask the Ceann Comhairle to allow me to do so. HIQA is the regulator of our health service. It would be inappropriate, improper and very unwise of me to interfere with it. Everyone in this House knows, and to the cost of the country, what happened when - I believe - a regulator was last interfered with, and this was the Financial Regulator.

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