Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I accept what the Minister has said. Would it not have been desirable, for the sake of the children and the service they need to improve their learning or social skills, for the legislation to introduce a measure whereby it would be possible for the Minister to compel the Department of Health to deliver the service? I ask this because two weeks ago the Minister for Health spoke at a conference in Galway and stated that he had ensured joined up thinking for the first time on autism, in conjunction with the Minister for Education and Skills, by having one principal officer common to the Departments of Health and Education and Skills. Would it have been possible for the Minister to have arranged joined up thinking with the Minister for Health on this issue so the HSE could have been compelled to deliver the service required by children when they need it?