Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with and welcome the proposed amendments. I had the privilege of sitting on a State board, the board of the Port of Cork, as the nominee from Cork City Council for ten years. The board had great responsibility at the time. The Minister is right. This board will have a budget of €17 billion in real terms. It is important that we get the right people in there and that they are able to do the job of managing. We must remember that over 111,000 people work in the HSE between the hospitals and all of the support services that are provided by the health service. It is important that not only do we have a very good chairperson and deputy chairperson, but that we also have very good board members who can manage and help to roll out a very competent health service into the future. I welcome the proposed changes.