Seanad debates

Thursday, 11 March 2010

11:00 am

Photo of Joe O'ReillyJoe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

Nora Owen, while Minister for Justice, was held responsible for an untaxed tractor in Ballydehob. Be that as it may, we should have a debate. The problem is the imposition of the HSE on top of the health board structure. The Government put one layer of bureaucracy on another. This matter merits a debate, as does the question of centres of excellence. I never believed in pursuing the latter. Rather, we should focus on local hospitals to the maximum degree and, where necessary, specialised services.

Will the Leader address my next point specifically? HIQA is visiting public nursing homes and telling people that a number of beds at several homes must be removed on health and safety grounds. However, the HSE is not providing alternative beds. At the same time, HIQA is not visiting those hospitals in which people are on trolleys. There is an inconsistency. Will the Leader include this matter in the debate on the health services and Tallaght Hospital?

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