Anthony Lawlor (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted. It is great to see all these amendments coming through. I would have spoken on many of the topics raised on Second Stage. In fairness to the Minister, he took on board the suggestion that it would be important that some of the things he has ambitions for would be put in legislation so that whoever follows as Minister for Health in future will carry it through. I would have a problem with someone from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU. The unions are a huge part of the health service and they would be advocating on the board more for the health service unions rather than the overall package that should be looked at. I agree with Senator Ruane's sentiment on patient advocates.

Those patient advocates may have other skill sets they might bring to the board. It would be nice if the members of a seven member board overseeing a €17 billion operation had other skill sets because the number of board members is limited. There is also another amendment recommending that the board go before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health, or whatever the relevant committee might be, without the chief executive officer. From my own experience, chief executives tend to lead boards. It would be important to get the perspective of the board rather than just the chief executive's relayed through the board. I am very much in favour of Senator Ruane's amendment. I made the same suggestion on the last day. I know that the Minister feels quite positive towards it and I hope that he takes it on board too.