Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister toured many hospitals when in opposition and has toured a few more in government. It is welcome that he is visiting accident and emergency departments in hospitals throughout the country. The point is, however, that he personally interfered in the selection process for priority capital projects. He says the hospitals concerned deserve it. Of course, they do and we do not dispute this for one moment, but the fact is that the HSE which was established independently of this House was not even aware of the decision made by the Minister on foot of representations made by two of his Cabinet colleagues. Clearly, he could ask himself whether the hospitals in Roscommon, Navan and Monaghan would receive priority if Ministers from these areas made representations, while others would lose out. That is the key question. Resources are scarce and the capital budget is always under pressure, but there was interference in the selection process on foot of representations made by the two Ministers. The Minister acceded and rode roughshod over the independence of the HSE in delivering capital projects.

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