Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

The section states:

Every contract, agreement or arrangement made between a specified body and any other person and in force immediately before the establishment day——

(a) continues in force on and after that day,

(b) is to be read and have effect as if the name of the Executive were substituted in the contract, agreement or arrangement for that of the specified body ...

Senator O'Toole stated that the party was going to disappear. However, it makes a reappearance under section 63. The issue he raised is, therefore, addressed by the section which provides for the continuation of contracts.

The Senator correctly raised a more fundamental point about how we are going to obtain better value for money, how we are going to get the desired return on our investment and how section 7 is drafted in such a vague way. I admire Senator O'Toole's enthusiasm. I hope he sustains that enthusiasm and interest. Up to now, he has not been a member of a health board and has not, therefore, been in a position to judge of these matters.