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

I am getting confused by all the Chairs around here. We will, of course, examine the Bill in finer detail on Committee Stage. It provides for the abolition of the board and the CEO structure which will be replaced by a system of directorates headed by a director general. The Minister has outlined his decision, although he has not necessarily outlined the logic behind it. This directorate structure will be an interim measure until further legislation is introduced in 2014 to underpin the move to universal health insurance and the establishment of hospital trusts. We are still awaiting a clear position on universal health insurance and the funding for such a system.

In announcing the changes the Minister described the HSE as a self-serving system rather than a patient-centred service. That was a cracking phrase which reminds me of my earlier comment about his stewardship and decision-making. The primary care centres were self-serving.

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