Fiona O'Malley (Progressive Democrats)

I am glad Senator Fitzgerald has returned to the Chamber because it is important to listen to the opinions of others.

Last week, Members saw an unfortunate incident in the Irish health service in so far as everyone, from politicians and radio announcers to journalists, suddenly became health experts. Apparently they knew what was best rather than allowing the actual experts, to whom responsibility has been given for delivering the health services, to get on with their jobs. While such experts should be accountable, they should be allowed to get on with their job. I wish to put on the record that Professor Drumm spoke well in his recent radio interview. He did not state that he was blaming local people. However, he did state that it is extremely difficult to deliver national services and, while I hate using the phrase, it is now common parlance, the centres of excellence, in the teeth of opposition, which is largely led by politicians of all hues. Such sentiments have been expressed in the Chamber today on all sides.

I listened to Senator McFadden, who made her points with great feeling. However, how can she state that she is prepared to offer her constituents a sub-standard service? She would prefer to offer them a service——