Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I am merely referring to the issue. The main issue is that we will not have real reform of the health service. When I asked members of staff of the South Eastern Health Board the areas to which they would be redeployed, they were uncertain about where they would end up. Higher ranking officials in the health boards are concerned that they may lose out. All health board staff need to know where they will end up.

Following enactment of the legislation, I wonder whether in six or 12 months the system will have been reformed or the name of one organisation replaced by another. Will we have done nothing more than confer substantial powers on 11 people with a budget of €11 billion at their disposal or will we have introduced genuine reform? The pace at which the Bill was rushed through the Dáil indicates the Government is not genuinely seeking the public's confidence that it will deliver a good health service.

It is worth repeating that the main purpose of the Bill is to improve, promote and protect the health and welfare of the population. This will be the ultimate test of whether the legislation has been successful. I note also that the 2001 health strategy, Quality and Fairness — A Health System for You, provided for an independent audit of structures and functions in the health system. A similar report was published in 2003, yet we are rushing through this legislation as this late stage, which is regrettable.

Under the Health Act 1970 employees have an option to appeal directly to the Minister in the event of a proposal to dismiss him or her. While this may make sense in the context of current labour law, it strikes me that the Minister is keen to wash her hands of any difficult decisions down the line. This is a major concern of the Fine Gael Party. Who will ultimately be held accountable? Will the Health Service Executive be blamed for everything? I saw this approach at work in my previous position as spokesman on transport.