John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Oireachtas is informed of the activities of both the Department and the Health Service Executive through the publication, which is laid before the Oireachtas, of the Department's statement of strategy. On a yearly basis the HSE service plan on spending is laid before the House. That in itself is an element of accountability.

I cannot comment on the issues raised by Senator Buttimer concerning Cork because I am not familiar with the issues in that county. The normal practice is that I would bring the Senator's concerns to the attention of the Minister and deal with it on the next Stage.

I wish I was more knowledgeable on the issues raised by the Senator Bacik regarding-----