Mary Henry (Independent)

I agree with people in the street who say they prefer to see what is proposed rather than the health boards which currently exist. The Minister of State was not here on Second Stage, but I voted in favour of the Bill.

I do not want a total denigration of the health boards, because some of them have been responsible for huge initiatives. Senator Feeney said we must get everybody registered with general practitioners as it would remove much chaos from accident and emergency departments. I know from Senator O'Toole that a superior type of person comes from Dingle and Anascaul. The Southern Health Board has registered seriously ill people with chronic conditions with one of seven general practitioners in its area. The board then encouraged the families to do the same. I am sure this could happen around the country. Certain people within the various health boards have started up initiatives to improve the situation. However, I do not think they were given sufficient encouragement by the Department of Health and Children.