Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

-----but he never took responsibility for these scandals as Minister. The simple reality is Deputy Micheál Martin does not believe in accountability in public life nor does Fianna Fáil. His primary legacy is the HSE itself, a body he established, in which he managed to translate his personal failings into an institution with systemic failings. This body continues to affect every man, woman and child in the State and is an organisation behind which every Minister of Health since has hidden when they come into power.

The motion we are debating tonight seeks to hold the Minister, Deputy Harris, to account for his failures. He may, however, quite reasonably look across the Chamber at Deputy Micheál Martin and others as the source of many his current woes. Tonight it looks like Fianna Fáil will again help to provide cover for a failing Minister. It will again scupper attempts by the real Opposition to provide accountability in Irish public life.

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