James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, into the House to debate the question of elected representatives having a voice in the administration of local health services. We heard her speak last night on setting up the new health service structure, but there was no reference to local input. She also said that a 12-strong team would be setting up the health service. It is important that we know the identity of those people and whether it will be done regionally. It is also important that local democracy be respected in the administration of health services. The present structure does not allow for adequate democratic input into the administration of the health service, and it is important that we have that debate. From the foundation of the State, there has always been local input into the delivery of health services. That is what people want, and it should be afforded to them. It would be for the betterment of health services.