Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This Bill is supposedly another step in the Government's health reform programme. The people have grown wary of the word "reform" in the mouth of the Government and, especially, the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly. We are hearing the rhetoric about reform, but the reality is nthat there is regression and retrenchment. When the HSE was established, Sinn Féin argued that it represented bureaucratic change rather than real reform. That has proved to be the case. It did not involve the replacement of the inequitable and inefficient two-tier system with a truly equitable and efficient universal system based on need alone, for which we have all declared our support at various times. Like the legislation establishing the HSE, this Bill represents further bureaucratic change. It may deliver a more streamlined bureaucracy, but it will do little more. It may increase accountability and the powers and responsibilities of the Minister, but, with respect, is this particular Minister worthy of such responsibility? Will it make him more accountable to the Dáil and the people? I regret that the answer to both questions is "No." We cannot expect progressive reform from a Minister who tells young graduate nurses that they should accept his yellow pack contracts or else emigrate or work in fast food outlets.

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