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

I refer to the health information Bill, which is to provide a framework for better governance of health information initiatives, including data matching and health information resources for use in the health services. Two key issues have arisen recently: the publication of mortality rates in the various hospitals throughout the country and the consultants' report into maternity services in the west, with which the Taoiseach will be very familiar. When will this Bill be published? It is critically important that we have informed debates on these issues. Major concern is being raised about maternity services in the west. As a proud Mayo man, the Taoiseach would like people to continue to be born in Mayo for many years to come.

The report will undermine confidence in maternity services in the west today, tomorrow and next week. We cannot wait a long time for the Bill when there is concern among the public about the consultants' report on maternity services. The same holds true with regard to the report on mortality rates in hospitals and the comparisons between them. When will the Bill be published? It might bring some credibility on the issue of data.

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