asked the Minister for Health if there is a risk to the lives of patients undergoing operations in hospitals which have only one specialist anaesthetic post; and if he will upgrade these hospitals to two specialist anaesthetic posts or arrange for day-care surgery.

I am quite satisfied that there is no risk to the lives of patients undergoing operations in such hospitals associated with normal anaesthetic practice. The number of consultants to be appointed and the type of services to be provided in hospitals are matters for consideration by Comhairle na nOspidéal and the particular hospital authority in the first instance.

Have the Faculty of Anaesthetics expressed their concern to him with regard to the danger to life where there is only one specialist anaesthetist post? When that person is not on duty the anaesthetic may be administered by somebody who does not have the full qualifications. The faculty have expressed the view that such patients' lives are at risk and there have been cases of accidents where patients have died.

I do not accept the implication that good specialist anaesthetists practising in this country are inadequate because they do not hold the qualification of fellow of the Faculty of Anaesthetics. The faculty itself has claimed on a number of occasions that they know of some "unqualified" anaesthetists working in hospitals whom they have described as dangerous and a risk to patients. The Department have asked the faculty for details of these cases so that they could be investigated but the faculty have refused to give the names.

Is the Minister satisfied that in all cases adequately qualified persons have been administering anaesthetics to patients?

As I have said, all consultant appointments are in line with the recommendations laid down by Comhairle na nOspidéal. These are matters for Comhairle na nOspidéal. We have asked the Faculty of Anaesthetics to provide us with the names of anyone whom they feel is not adequately qualified. To date they have refused to do so.

Is the Minister confirming that the Faculty of Anaesthetics have made the complaint to him?

The Faculty of Anaesthetics have written to me and to the Secretary of my Department on the lines as outlined by Deputy Molloy. We have asked them to provide names of persons whom they consider are not suitably qualified and they have refused to do so. I might point out in relation to the Faculty of Anaesthetics that many of the members who are fellows of the faculty, became fellows on payment of a fee; they did not have to have any test of competence. The possession of fellowship of the Faculty of Anaesthetics is by no means a guarantee of absolute competence.

Question No. 70 in the name of Deputy Howlin.

I have a Question No. 193 on the same topic.