Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Social Democrats, I thank Teresa Doolan for her service and congratulate Liam and Noel on their new appointments.

Yesterday, the Committee on Health discovered that a business case for the implementation of regional health areas, RHAs, was presented to Cabinet on Tuesday. This is obviously a central element of Sláintecare. Three options were set out. The first was to do nothing, the second was to take a minimalist approach which, as we know, is favoured by Robert Watt, and the third was to implement Sláintecare, have a leaner and more effective centre to the HSE and devolve power, responsibility and decision-making to the six regions. Can the Tánaiste clarify which of those three options the Cabinet decided on? It was suggested to us yesterday by Robert Watt that the Cabinet came down in favour of the minimalist approach. Can he is the clarify whether the Government will implement Sláintecare or take a minimalist approach?

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