The removal of health boards has been mooted but we know this is a problematic area. Could the Minister take the political risk to tackle them? In the Irish Independent last week, Damien Corless gave the historical background to the achievement by consultants of their powerful position in the health service. He said that the consultants have it in writing that no one can monitor their hours. It is most peculiar that consultants can use the valuable services – beds, nurses, office space and so on – while the return to the hospital is that they provide a certain public service for which they are very well paid.