James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I did not interrupt the Deputy and will not stop to listen to his interruption. I have accepted several amendments from the Deputy and Deputy Billy Kelleher and incorporated them into the Bill. The Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill flows from the programme for Government and is part of a series of legislative and other changes which are intended to bring about radical reform of the health service and which will see the introduction of universal health insurance. The programme also envisages that eventually the HSE will no longer exist as its functions are moved elsewhere under the health reform plan. While the Bill is a transitional measure and only one element of the wider legislative and administrative reform process aimed at achieving a better health service, our debates have shown that we all agree that it is nonetheless an important element.

It seems appropriate to end by emphasising that the reform programme is ultimately about doing the best for the patient. The Bill, with the new management arrangements, will help to place a greater focus on service delivery and ensure more accountability during the time the HSE continues in existence. It is about ensuring better outcomes for patients and if this remains our focus, we will not stray too far wrong. I will take the Bill back to the Seanad to report on the changes made in this House.

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