Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I want to make two points. It is unfortunate the legislation does not specify that representatives of patient advocacy groups will be included on the council. I have been involved with the group MRSA and Families which has done great work in promoting awareness of MRSA. It is important to acknowledge the role of the public and the patient advocacy groups and this could be specified in the legislation.

Members of the Oireachtas are debarred from being on such councils and this is the worst form of inequality but it does not appear to arise in this case. I am not suggesting Members should be on the council but neither should we be automatically debarred. I ask the Minister to clarify whether Members are entitled to be members of the council. I reiterate that I am not seeking to be nominated to the body. At times it appears to be an offence to be a Member of the Oireachtas.