Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am a little conflicted on this because I do not want to do anything that interferes with the recommendations of the Scally report, which the Minister indicated the current wording has the potential to do. Likewise, I and my party have supported the inclusion of two clinicians on the board. It strikes me that the Minister has offered to potentially include such a provision in other legislation at a later date. If it can be done in a couple of months, why can it not be done now? Nobody is trying to convince anybody else because the argument has been won. We know we need clinicians and patient advocates on the board.

I am unwilling to contradict previous voting positions taken by my party. However, I do not want to put us in a position whereby this legislation cannot be enacted. I appreciate the Minister has received advice, which I do not have, but the advice I have is to the contrary. I understand the Minister cannot share the advice he has but that puts us in a difficult position. I do not want to do anything that will interfere with the enactment of this legislation. The board is needed and must be placed on a statutory footing, as I have called for previously. I do want to get in the way of that, nor do I want to let an opportunity go that will provide for the maximum number of clinicians on the board. It strikes me that if this issue can be fixed in a couple of months, surely it can be fixed now. Alternatively, as Deputy Donnelly suggested, if the Minister withdraws the amendment, we will be in a position to make any changes required in a couple of months' time if there are drafting issues.

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