David Norris (Independent)

I welcome the Minister of State. This is one of a flurry of Bills arriving in the House. In this area, we sometimes get miscellaneous provisions Bills, such as the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. There is an outbreak of miscellaneous provisions Bills. It is rather a pity that there is such a rag-bag approach because the Bill before us contains important elements, some of which I welcome and others I will probe further.

The Minister of State used the word "rationalisation" repeatedly. I hope it will be rationalisation in the full sense as opposed to just a mathematical division. I note her comment that, following the efficiency review of various agencies, "the Government agreed a process of rationalisation of State agencies" and that, in the health sector, "the number of agencies is being reduced from 34 to 18". That cut of 50% will be admirable if it is accompanied by real rationalisation, namely, retaining appropriate staff, preventing damage to the professional relationships within the area and, most crucially, maintaining delivery of service to the public. I would like to believe this will be the case.

The Minister of State referred to the integration of the National Council on Ageing and Older People and the Women's Health Council within the Department. I take it that they will be individually integrated as opposed to being merged, which would not be rational. Speaking as a 65 year old pseudo-male, there are also elderly male persons.