Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

No such avenue will be open to the public under the new arrangements. Deputies, Senators and councillors used to be able to refer people who approached them to members of the health boards who, as public representatives, were not afraid to ask questions. Under the proposed arrangements, however, nobody will know the members of the executive. That will be a substantial change. Senator Browne's amendment is reasonable because the public will demand answers. There is an onus on the Government and the Members of the Oireachtas, as legislators, to put in place a system under which people will be able to get answers. According to the Minister of State's comments this evening, however, no such avenue will be open to those who are looking for answers. Many charades along the lines of the nursing homes charade that was exposed last week, which could cost the taxpayer €100 million, will develop as the years go by. It behoves the Minister of State to accept the amendment, or an amended form thereof, in order to open an avenue to allow the public to get answers.