Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I suggest inviting the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, to the House before she makes appointments to the HSE board. There is major absenteeism of board members at the moment and quite a few turn up to very few meetings. All board members receive approximately €17,500 per year and the least they could do is attend board meetings, particularly when there is such a crisis in the health services. The chairpersons of the health forums, who are elected, receive no remuneration for their sterling work on behalf of the State and could serve on the board of the HSE.

The HSE has let down the Minister badly in the past week in respect of its conduct on the matter in Portlaoise. It seems to take no responsibility. The Cathaoirleach was a member of the Midland Health board and I was chairman of the Western Health Board. I attended all the meetings and presume the Cathaoirleach did too but I would be ashamed to miss so many meetings. A lottery takes place between board members to decide who should attend board meetings. It is like a meeting of godfathers to see who draws the short straw.