Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

It is not true to say that there is no interim board of the HSE. There are 12 people on such a board and it is chaired by the secretary general of the Department of Health.

The IPHA has made a payment of €10 million to the Department. The Minister is negotiating with the association in respect of the €124 million payment over the next three years. It is to be hoped those discussions will conclude shortly.

I cannot answer the Deputy's question on when the legislation will become law, but it will be published before the House rises for the summer. If the Deputy wants this House to sit later to deal with this Bill, I have no problem with that.

See this speech in context