Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I thank the Minister of State for his sterling work on the Bill. The extensive time we wished to devote to its discussion has not been allocated. However, I commend the Minister of State on his commitment to the legislation. The more issues one raises with the Bill, the more evident is its scope. It creates a radical new departure and a new framework for the management of the health service and represents fundamental and sweeping reform.

In principle, none of us has a difficulty with that. However, we have rehearsed our concerns about some of the Bill's provisions. I emphasise one issue about which I am especially concerned. The Bill presents a recipe for major strife between the Minister and the board of the HSE.