John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 35: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will hold the HSE board meetings in public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9495/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Act 2004 sets out the legislative framework within which the Health Service Executive must operate. It is a matter for the board of the executive to regulate its own procedures and this would include whether its meetings are to be held in public. I have discussed this issue with the chairperson of the board of the executive and he has advised me that, while it is not intended to hold public board meetings, it is intended that the agenda and minutes of board meetings will be made available publicly via the website of the HSE.

The HSE is mindful that access to information and communications generally, in an open and transparent manner, is an important component of best practice in management and governance of the health services. In this context, the Health Act 2004 provides that all statutory reports of the HSE, such as the corporate plan, the national service plan and the executive's annual report must be published on the Internet after having been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The executive is also required to prepare a code of governance for ministerial approval, and must arrange for publication of the approved code.

It is appropriate to point out here that the Act includes a provision relating to attendance by the chief executive officer of the executive before an Oireachtas committee, to give an account of the general administration of the executive. The Act also provides that up to four regional health forums shall be established by the Minister. Each forum has the function of making representations to the executive on the range and operation of health and personal social services provided within its functional area. Details relating to the establishment, composition and operation of the regional health forums will be set out in regulations which are currently in the course of preparation in my Department.

Pursuant to section 79 of the Health Act 2004, my Department is currently preparing regulations relating to the supply by the executive of specified documents or information to, and correspondence with, Members of either House of the Oireachtas.