Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Halligan for raising this matter. Everyone is aware that in June 2012, the Minister for Health appointed Professor John Higgins to conduct and share a strategic board on the establishment of hospital groups. The strategic board has representatives of national and international experience. More than 100 meetings took place around the country and it is clear that a great deal of politics of many sorts was involved in the discussions and arising from the potential consequences.

See this speech in context