Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

This is another example of the Government moving accountability away from the Department of Health and Children to an independent body. I have no objection in this case but there seems to be a trend for this Government to continually take powers away from the Department. The downside to this is a lack of accountability. In future if people ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children about prescription drugs they will be told to ask the Irish Medicines Board. When the Bill is debated in the Dáil another section should be inserted to allow for accountability to the Dáil because otherwise, like in other areas, there will be none.