Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ar dtús, ba mhaith liom a rá leis an Aire go bhfuil mé an-sásta go bhfuil cuma maith air. Tá súil agam go dtiocfaidh biseach air agus guím beatha agus sláinte dó. Tá sé an-mhaith as a bheith anseo ag obair agus ag glacadh ceisteanna. Táimid buíoch dó agus tá súil agam go mbeidh beatha agus sláinte aige.

Last week in the Seanad the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, stated that an issue had arisen concerning the commissioning of a report on maternity services in the west and in the north west. This report was carried out by a private consultancy firm called The Health Partnership, also known as DNF Health Partnership, a company with a long record of promoting privatisation of health services. There are very great concerns in the west and in the north west that this report, if implemented, could result in the closure of maternity services in that region. Is the Minister aware that the founder and 50% shareholder of this private consultancy firm was appointed by the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, as chairperson of the west-north west hospitals group, a major State public health body? Does the Minister accept that this is a significant conflict of interest? Surely it is not appropriate that a major player in a private health consultancy firm that promotes privatisation of health services is appointed as the chair of a major public health body.

The Minister for Health has admitted that the commissioning of the report by this health partnership was not in accordance with HSE national financial regulations. Will the Minister for Health be called fully to account for making this appointment? Will the chair of the west-north west hospitals group be asked to stand down?

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