Paschal Donohoe (Fine Gael)

Senator Dearey summed up the difficulty we are facing in the delivery of health services, a matter that must be debated in the House, when he referred to the "absence of any political presence" in their delivery. The health and safety of our citizens are too important for it to be absent of any political presence, as is the spending of billions of euro of taxpayers' money.

While a balance needs to be struck in our consideration of ministerial responsibility, it has been achieved in the discussion to date. The main questions asked by my colleagues were on when the Minister became aware of the issue and whether she inquired as to its scale. These are legitimate and proportionate questions to be raised by Members, as they address the issues of ministerial responsibility and whether it was executed.

I agree completely with Senator Quinn's point on the innovation task force, the implementation of which will fund hospitals in 15 or 20 years time. We must discuss three points during the debate that is necessary on that report, which is spread all over today's newspapers. First, how is this plan different from the many plans that have gone before? Second, how is it different from the innovation plans of Germany, India and China? Third and most important, how will we implement it?