Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

It is worth noting that the health budget, at €11 billion, accounts for almost 25% of all expenditure. It is huge and members of the public need to know that their money is being well spent. There is grave uncertainty about the Government's handling — one could say it is mishandling — of this issue. At present, there is an interim chief executive in place. Section 7(8) states, "the Executive has all powers necessary or expedient for it to perform its functions." In my view, which the Tánaiste does not share, the decision by the person initially appointed to be the chief executive officer not to take up the post indicates that he believed he would not have the necessary powers to allow him to do his job. The Government faces difficulties in that regard.

The Minister of State used the analogy that he who pays the piper calls the tune. When the tune is out of key, who will take responsibility? Will the blame be placed on the CEO who, in turn, will blame someone else or will the Minister or the Government accept responsibility?