Ivor Callely (Independent)

I support the comments regarding the Ombudsman's report. Emily O'Reilly is a courageous person and she is acting in the best public interest. What she has said about the HSE is deeply worrying. I have put on record on many occasions my views on the agency but she referred to the culture of excessive secrecy and legalism in the HSE. She further stated, "A body such as the HSE, there to protect and represent the public interest, sometimes seeks to protect its own interest first...It is very wrong". Nobody would disagree with her comments in that regard. We all have personal experiences of the difficulties associated with dealing with the HSE. I very much agree with Senator Prendergast's comments on this and other matters relating to the executive, such as the embargo on the recruitment of staff and the impact on service provision, particularly by those on the front line and first responders.

Can we get some clarification on the position regarding the HSE? Can the Leader invite the Minister in at the appropriate time? We need to know the impact on service. A mechanism is in place. A service plan is provided by the HSE and money is provided by the Department for its implementation. We need to know what is happening, the impact of the staff embargo and the financial allocation impact on service provision. We are not getting a handle on this. Will the Leader try to ensure we get a handle on this?

We are debating the financial crisis, stag hunting, wildlife and so on. I refer to an important issue raised yesterday by One Family, the one-parent family charity that supports lone parents.