Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I am still talking about section 3.

If the Senator was being honest and truthful with himself he would know that the removal of public representatives from the health boards is a backward step. I appreciate that he must articulate the views of the Government, but most of the councillors on the health boards, including the Government councillors, are disgusted and devastated at this retrograde move. We are letting down the councillors and other public representatives who gave their expertise and time to discuss some complicated issues to do with health boards.

The so-called committee is merely a talking shop. Politicians will have no real involvement in the health system. If elected members cannot have any involvement, why do people run for election at all? We are leaving things up to the bureaucrats and consultants and effectively telling the health boards to run their own business. Who will ask the hard questions? Who has always brought consultants and middle and upper management to heel? The answer is politicians. Once again, the Minister is appealing to public opinion. He knows that people think politicians should not be on these boards.

I was elected in 1999 and sat on the boards of the VEC. I am sure Senator Glynn will agree that whatever party they belonged to, politicians have been honest and impartial and have given great service to the VECs and health boards. This is a backward step. That is why I oppose the section.