Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Again, I thank colleagues for their comments. I appreciate their support. The Minister, Deputy Harris, specifically asked me to start by thanking all of the Senators for giving him the time to reflect on this important issue and to bring forward these amendments in order to ensure that at least two members of the new HSE board will have experience and expertise in advocacy in the context of matters affecting patients. From the outset, he has clearly stated the Government's commitment to implementing the recommendations of the Scally scoping inquiry in full.On behalf of the Government, I thank Dr. Scally for such a careful, compassionate and considered report. In his report, Dr. Scally asks the Minister to consider seriously the appointment of two patient advocates to the proposed new board for the HSE. This is what the Minister has done.

The Public Appointments Service has a robust process for the selection of candidates for membership of the new HSE board. This process will see candidates being appointed to the board based on the skills and experience they bring to the board and their ability to engage in collective complex decision-making. From the outset, patient advocacy was identified as a core skill and expertise needed in board members. It was always the intention of the Minister for Health to ensure that this experience and expertise would be found in the board. However, he has listened carefully to the concerns expressed in previous debates and believes that we should meet Dr. Scally's recommendation by amending the Bill and providing for a requirement for all future Ministers for Health to ensure that there is patient advocacy experience and expertise on the board of the HSE. On his behalf, I am proposing to amend the Bill to provide that at least two members of the HSE board have patient advocacy experience or expertise. This is done in amendment No. 3.

The other amendments are consequential. Amendment No. 7 relates to the term of office of the members of the first board and is intended to ensure there are always members with advocacy experience or expertise on the board. The remaining amendments in this group are technical drafting amendments. I hope the Senators can support them.