Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In recent weeks many Senators have highlighted issues relating to the health service and unfortunately it is never good news. Senator Craughwell mentioned the HSE being one layer too many. The tragic deaths of babies, in particular in Cavan General Hospital, have been discussed. It is important to state that what emerged this week is that doctors and nurses had repeatedly highlighted the risk to patients posed by theatre staff shortages at the hospital. Issues that have been raised include systems failures, under-resourcing and, most importantly, the provision of adequately trained staff. Senator Craughwell's point on one layer too many is important because when staff, doctors and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, write to hospital managers they warn of shortages and the risks of what could happen but what they say is not taken on board and then tragic incidents occur, such as we have seen this week. That is most unfortunate and when the loss of life is involved, we must take the issue seriously. Bureaucracy should not trump human life.

It is all well and good that we have recommendations that will be implemented arising from review processes that may address concerns but it is important that we listen to front-line staff in the first instance. When the Minister for Health comes to the House we often have statements that last two hours and we do not get to properly question him in the way we would like. The conduct of the debate is very frustrating. We make a statement and the Minister makes a statement but there is no toing and froing. It is important that perhaps when we have the next debate on health that we would have an opportunity to ask questions in order to provide answers to the public. The Executive is accountable to Parliament, including this Chamber. It is important that we have some time reserved to question the Minister and that he can directly answer some of the questions we put to him.