Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I think he was very aggrieved as would I be if I were in his position. He worked very hard as chairperson of the health board, fought for the right cause and yet was dropped. It worries me that the local knowledge of politicians will not be as influential as it was in the past. Politicians are often accused of not making decisions for the common good, but on most occasions they make the right decision.

The health service is certainly in need of reform but I do not believe this is the right reform. I am quite upset when people accuse the Opposition of megaphone politics and of carrying out campaigns of misinformation. Every day I have people coming in to my office who have been on trolleys and people wondering what is wrong with the health service. They want real change just as I want real change. Unfortunately the health service is in a shambles. I do not think enough is being done and I think this Government is making the wrong decisions. It is up to me as a Senator and as an Opposition politician to highlight the deficiencies of this Health Bill. I will not accept anybody shouting across the Chamber at me or anybody else, saying that I am shouting for the sake of shouting. There are problems within the health boards and it is my right to raise these issues. One need only travel around the country to meet the kind of people who are on the radio talk shows and listen to those coming into constituency offices. This Bill gives too much power to the current Minister and we saw what the previous Minister did with his power. I wish the Minister of State well in his new appointment.