Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)

I concur with Senator Donohoe's assertion that the level of ministerial accountability to this House is extremely weak. When he served as a Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, the Minister dealt with issues relating to illegal nursing home charges. One of his colleagues in that Department, who is now a Member of this House, attended regular meetings involving HSE officials and senior officials of the Department. Apart from whispering concerns into the ear of the Taoiseach of the day, that individual did precious little about the matter. The current Minister for Health and Children regularly informs this House and various Oireachtas committees that she has absolutely no responsibility for the €16 billion of taxpayers' money that is spent by the HSE. It is important, therefore, that Members on this side seek increased controls with regard to how €54 billion of taxpayers' money and the recapitalisation of the banks will be dealt with.

The Minister stated that he is going to deal with the leaders of the Opposition in the Lower House. How does he propose to deal with Independent Senators, who often do not enjoy the benefit of having colleagues in the Lower House? Will he take these Senators into account when deciding on the membership of the new committees? Fianna Fáil does not have a great history of respecting this House. A Government led by Fine Gael was the only Administration to appoint a Senator to the Cabinet.