Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

It does, but the Minister said he would take a hands-on approach and, bar wearing a gown, he would be the person in charge, but that is not the case at present.

The health services have gone through a major transformation with the establishment of the Health Service Executive and the amalgamation of the health boards. Management change and changes of structures take seven to ten years to implement. The idea that we will go through a huge upheaval again in the health services will only undermine the capability of whatever organisation is there to provide health services to deliver what it is meant to do. In the meantime there must be clarity on the issue. I know from speaking to people in the HSE that they are unsure what policy direction will be taken and who is responsible for provision and delivery of health care in this country.

The national children's hospital project is a major issue to be decided on by the Government. Many people have had varying views on its location. The Minister expressed a view on it also and as a Deputy representing a Dublin constituency and a general practitioner, his view should be respected. An independent expert group was set up to establish whether the Mater site was the right one and to assess its cost effectiveness. It has reported that it is the most efficient site in terms of having a university hospital and a children's hospital on the one site. When will the decision on this project be made? I know it has gone before the public expenditure review group but this is a political decision. It is a decision the Government makes. It is not one for the public expenditure review group.

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