John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I ask the Leader for a debate on the HSE and, in particular, to focus on the possibility of reintroducing the health boards. At present the people feel they are dealing with a monolithic organisation and perhaps it is time to look again at the real value of the health boards with which the people felt a real connection. I am conscious that at that time councillors from all political parties served on these boards for utility. As a person who has qualifications in finance, marketing, humanities and law I realise how little I know in many different areas but the value of the person on the group who can reassure people about their local or regional hospital cannot be overstated. I ask the Leader to recommend strongly that the Minister come into the House with a view to speaking about health boards and having local representatives back on those health boards with the HSE having an over-arching control.