Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I, too, compliment Senator O'Toole on his measured contribution. We could all take a lead from the sentiments expressed. I agree fully with what Senator Bradford said; we need accountability within the structure of the Health Service Executive. The system of corporate governance is wrong. I said that at the time and I wrote to the Minister, asking that a system of democratic accountability would be put in place at local level. That has not been done and until it is, we will continue to see some of the failings that are now evident.

I read in The Irish Catholic this morning about a dispute in County Kerry over the action of the Health Service Executive in removing statues from a local hospital which has given rise to controversy. I raise the issue in the context of a similar situation in my town where statues were removed from geriatric hospitals. The literal interpretation of equality serves no useful purpose and causes grievance and upset, especially to elderly people in geriatric hospitals who have deep religious belief and who like the fact that religious icons are visible. We should ask the Minister to come to the House to discuss the injection of aggressive secularism into some public services.

We all received a fine statement recently from Deputy Lowry on tribunals. I wish to comment on tribunals in general. While my sympathies lie with him because of the length of time he has been subjected to investigation, Deputy Lowry is not alone in that other people have had to expend money to provide information and defend themselves at tribunals. The process has gone on for so long that it is a fine example of justice delayed being justice denied. The Leader should facilitate a debate on tribunals as soon as possible. I have been critical of the exorbitant costs. Deputy Lowry makes a point in his statement that in the past ten years, some senior counsel-----