Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

In that debate the Minister, Deputy Reilly, went on to say:

People are feeling pain but HSE administrators have taken the soft option of cutting front line staff and services. Navan hospital is a case in point. The Minister alluded to it being shut because of economic considerations, given all hospitals must stay within budget, but Navan hospital is operating within budget.

We had a statement the other day from the Minister, Deputy Reilly, quite clearly directed to all hospitals and the HSE. I remind the House that the HSE is now governed by the Minister. He has assumed sole responsibility for the provision of health care in the State. He waltzed into HSE headquarters, sacked its independent board, and appointed people from the Department of Health and the HSE who are to work under his guidance with his hand always on the tiller when it comes to decision making. On any decision made from now on, Government backbenchers cannot blame us or the HSE. They can look to their own Minister, the man who decided to take in charge all issues on the provision of health care.

Following the recommendations in the HIQA report, I accept nobody in this House would stand over putting patients at risk. However, there are two ways to address the issue. There is the lazy and deceitful option the Minister has taken of withdrawing the services or-----

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