Dan Boyle (Green Party)

There is no doubt as to what the common theme on the Order of Business is today. I assure Members that the anxiety that has been expressed for an early debate on this is shared and that already efforts have been made to have a representative from the Department of Health and Children come to the House at the earliest possible time to facilitate such a debate. The Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, has already indicated that she would be willing. In fact, she has expressed her desire to take part in that debate. I put it to the Members that, subject to the Minister's availability, we will arrange such a debate at the earliest possible opportunity. I am afraid that is not possible today, but we will have some indication later as to when the Minister will be available for such a debate. The matter was raised by Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, McCarthy, Norris, McFadden, Feeney, O'Reilly and Coffey. We will take on board the additional points about a need for a more general debate on the health service and the question of accountability. Many Members share the sense of powerlessness about the establishment of many recent bodies and the effect this has had on political accountability. Whatever else about political involvement, we can be sure lines of communication and responsibility are available when such political involvement is allowed. We may need to revisit the workings of many State bodies to see why that does not happen any more and what can be done to change it.

Senator O'Toole revisited his past glories as a wage negotiator in terms of the remuneration body report. A request will be made to see whether it is possible to discuss those issues. A couple of members of the Cabinet have said they want the issue revisited in terms of how it might be deferred one way or another.