Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I do not know if I can put it any better than I have. I take the points raised by both Deputies. In fairness, one hears accounts of bad experiences or those that certainly have been less than satisfactory. Other accounts are relayed, perhaps not as often, where people have very good experiences. I do not think it is universally bad but the way we can reassure the public and people affected is principally to have legislation in place because that secures a system in place that this House oversees in order that the Oireachtas is clear about the basic minimum standards. The HSE understands its responsibility in respect of a procurement framework, national guidelines and the initiatives I have mentioned that are in the service plan this year, such as an activity and resource review, service improvement initiatives and a review of models of service delivery. These are all directed towards ensuring proper standards are in place and that none of the kinds of incidents that have been related by both Deputies ever recurs. The Government is committed to ensuring this is the case.

See this speech in context