Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

On Sunday last, an Chéad Chathlán Coisithe i nDún Uí Mhaolíosa i nGaillimh held its commemoration of 100 years. I want to pay some respect to my colleagues: Senator Kyne, who is here; Senator Crowe; and Deputies Ó Cuív and Grealish. Their attendance at that parade was greatly appreciated by all. Soldiers in Galway know they have support in this House and in the Lower House and that is important.

Some time ago I spoke about how politics in this country, and particularly the massive portfolios our Ministers have, is failing the system. What we heard about University Hospital Limerick today is indicative of the failure I am talking about. No Minister over the past 11 years can be held responsible for bad management at local level. Ministers cannot micromanage systems. I am delighted that the Minister for Health decided yesterday that he would pull a snap inspection and that shows great leadership on his behalf. I am quick enough to criticise people when the opportunity arises but we have to move away from constantly looking at the Government or the Minister because some local organisation is not living up to the job and task it is supposed to be carrying out. Senator Gavan is correct that he has been raising this matter for years, as have other Limerick-based Senators on the Government side. The bottom line is that if there is a problem there it should not fall to a Minister for Health to have to drive to Limerick to see what is going on. There should be a proper management accounting system and the lacuna that exists between ministerial responsibility and local management needs to be addressed. We cannot continually blame politicians for the failures of people who are paid massive salaries to do a managerial task. That is something we should have a debate on in this House in the public interest.