Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

I can understand why one would seek this type of disclosure when drafting legislation. Progress has been made over several years on achieving parity between the voluntary, private and public sectors in the provision of services. As a former health board member, I was aware of demands that the private and voluntary sectors should provide higher levels of service. I felt somewhat uncomfortable in this regard because it was not fair for a statutory authority to seek higher levels form others than it was prepared to provide itself. For this reason, I welcome that the inspection regime under the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, will be on a level playing field.

I would like to believe the Minister of State, in her wisdom, will see the merit of what is being proposed. The amendment proposed by Senator Mullen deals with a purchaser who demands sensitive commercial information. Perhaps the Minister of State will clarify how the HSE will demand similar information from the public sector. It would be in the interests of this House to receive an indication on whether the substantive content of Senator Mullen's amendment will be accommodated on Report Stage.