Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

The plans outlined by the Minister indicate a clear and comprehensive restructuring of health services in Cork. As a member of the south-west regional health forum, I am aware that reconfiguration has left people less confident about the health service and that there is concern about HSE management at local and national level. The lack of political leadership during the past 14 years has eroded trust and confidence in the ability of the HSE to deliver change. That is why we will see change under the Minister's stewardship. We need to see independent verification of any changes and independent verification of claims by the HSE that proposed changes will result in improved delivery of services.

I have concerns about the creation of centres of excellence, in particular in regard to Cork University Hospital, which is overstretched. However, I am willing to listen. HIQA should get involved in this process as it would offer people much needed reassurance on the quality of services provided.

The Minister has been in office for just over seven months. It is politically wrong to blame him for every problem and earlier we heard rhetoric about war zones and crises. The Minister understands that reform of the health service is needed and he is driving that reform. That is why he has proposed radical changes in how the health service is delivered. Those opposite may be cynical and make smart comments but they should give the Minister an opportunity to drive that change, which has not happened for 14 years. We had a series of Ministers who sat at the Cabinet table, hid behind collective responsibility and did not deliver change.

I am happy that change will occur. It will not happen overnight or in seven years. If one talks to health care professionals and people working in the health service, they will tell one that morale is low and that change is needed but they are confident that we have a Minister who, and a Government which, will drive that change.

Everybody will not be happy. Stakeholders by their nature have vested interests and they will not all be happy because they will have to stand by their positions in their little kingdoms or fiefdoms. There will be opportunities for those opposite to jump up and down in their seats, to go out on the plinth and to lead delegations and mass protests.

The treatment of people and health matter. This Government is a reforming one. It has been in office since last March and not for 14 years. In 14 years time, we will have a different health system which has at its core quality health care delivered to the people who matter most.

See this speech in context