Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In respect of transparency in the HSE, no more than any other organisation, agency or Department that is clearly a given. This is why the Minister for Health wants to transfer responsibility for the Vote back to the Department of Health so that it is answerable to this House. Deputy Donnelly will be aware that when an Estimate is concluded in respect of the budget and when the Minister for Health signs off on it with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, it is then necessary for the HSE and the Department to produce a plan or strategy to deal with it. In some cases in the past, these have not corresponded with the Estimate that was actually produced. It is a given that there will be proper transparency.

In respect of sanctions, they are never going to work unless there is a measure of agreement between doctors and managers in a hospital. I do not have the details on all the reasons why some hospitals are compliant and others are not but I understand there are two propositions on the table, from the HSE and the doctors, respectively, on sanctions. That is the point of difference. There is the question of whether they are binding in they way the doctors are speaking about or, to take another form of sanction, a manager's job is to manage and doctors perform a critical public service for the good and health of our people. The place to address this is at the Labour Relations Commission rather than across the airwaves. It is a tried and tested forum and I would say to the NCHDs and the HSE this matter has to be resolved. It can and will be resolved through the forum of the Labour Relations Commission. The invitation has been made to both sides. The propositions are on the table and surely it is possible to work out a solution rather than leave people distressed and put out because of the situation that obtains at present.

I do hope that, following the Deputy's valid question, this will be responded to in a positive fashion and it is to be hoped it can be resolved, understanding that we want to get to a point at the end of next year where the working time directive is fully implemented in respect of all the doctors and all the hospitals, as it should have been many years ago.

See this speech in context