Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I welcome Senator Maurice Hayes's announcement that there was agreement on the Orange Order marches in north Belfast. This House should indicate that we welcome this co-operation.

Politicians around the country can sometimes feel helpless when it comes to participation in decision making. Many decisions are now made by people within the health service who are answerable to no one. If we are to have a proper health system the people who make decisions like handing out medical cards, allocating beds and moving patients up waiting lists must be accountable and answerable. If politicians behaved in such a way a tribunal would most probably result. The vast majority of people in the health service work hard and fulfil an admirable vocation but some abuse the system, seeming to consider it one big pay cheque for themselves. We should lead the way in ensuring that accountability be introduced. I ask the Leader to invite Professor Drumm to address this House and outline what he intends to do.