Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

There will be no benefit in their being independent because when drawing up service statements they must take cognisance of the situation which pertains within the HSE. A person might have an assessment of need outlining all the needs irrespective of resources. One then considers the service statement, and one must then pick and choose from the assessment statement what can be delivered in the particular year. Consequently, the liaison officer must take account of the specific constraints in terms of personnel, professional services or the amount of money made available in a particular year to that region of the HSE to provide the services. There is therefore no need for independence in the context of the provision of the service statement.