Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, and such a financial expert. I am suggesting that we accept my amendments but at the next available opportunity I will make that change. There is an opportunity on the legislative list this year and I will work with the Opposition to further refine membership of the board if it is the view of the House that there should be an additional seat for clinical expertise and a ring-fenced seat for financial expertise. I will do that but I really do not see how the House would in any way lose out tonight by allowing us to get on with the board that has been announced through the Public Appointments Service. That will allow us to enact the part to comply with the Scally report recommendations and appoint two patient advocates. As a compromise on my part, there will be a clinical expertise seat on the board. We can review the matter in a number of months because the published Government legislative programme indicates the next HSE Bill is to be brought forward for pre-legislative scrutiny in advance of the summer recess.

I am happy to rectify the matter but my priority is to put this board in place and ensure we can have the two patient advocates. I know we all accept their bona fides and they have been identified. They should take their seats on the board from day one. As I said, I am compromising and changing my position in recognition of Deputy Donnelly's position in having a dedicated seat for a clinical expert. The Deputy would prefer two such experts and I am okay with that argument but there is no amendment before the House tonight from anybody to ensure that happens while enabling the patient advocacy element to be included as well.

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