Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

I am pleased to have an opportunity to contribute on this important Bill. The Minister said there is an onus on us to obtain value for money on behalf of the taxpayer. I am sure all Members will refer to this legislation as important. It is possibly the most important Bill to come before the House this session. It was a long time in gestation and has been flagged for many months, possibly a year or 18 months. It follows from many reports on the health service over the past years, in particular, the Brennan, Prospectus and Hanly reports, all of which were debated in this House.

Senator Browne has little faith in the system. I have heard other members of his party, when debating those reports, suggest they would be left on a shelf to gather dust. Far from gathering dust, we are now putting their recommendations through this House. The Bill will be the distillation of recommendations contained in those reports and I am pleased to be involved in the passing of it through the House. It will be the tool to drive forward the much-need reform of the health service. Ireland is a small country and the administrative system of the health services, used over the past 30 years, is no longer suitable. The demands and challenges of the 21st century that must be met will be well served by the Bill. Until now, the health services have been managed on a local basis via the health boards. These grew out of the old administration set on the county basis. When the health boards were established 30 years ago they were met with great disdain. Senator Browne looks too young to have been around then.