Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her reply, scant as it is. HIQA has a certain remit and I do not think it has the remit to recommend that model 2 hospitals be upgraded to model 3 hospitals. HIQA does not have a remit to look at the population, for example, if there is population growth or if the population of a region is greater than anticipated when originally planning hospital capacity. While I welcome the fact that HIQA is closely looking at this, I have two questions.

First, will the correspondence the Minister of State referred to be published? I do not think any of us want to go through the jig of looking for it through Freedom of Information. Ultimately, there has to be accountability by the Government, the permanent Government, the HSE and HIQA, through the delivery of health services in this country to democratically elected representatives. Can we see that correspondence?

Second, is the idea of a review no longer being considered? If that is the case, I am very disappointed. While I respect the work that HIQA is doing, its remit is limited.

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