Will the Taoiseach inform the House why the newly appointed head of the Health Services Executive has decided not to take up his position?

He must be afraid of a red Government.

Does the Taoiseach agree that this very late decision is worrying and what messages does it send out? Is the Taoiseach aware of the great disaffection and disgruntlement in the IMPACT trade union, which represents some 25,000 health service workers and is advising its members not to participate in briefings organised by the new Health Service Executive? Does he agree this is a worrying indicator of a failure to properly involve, consult and engage with one of the key elements within the overall configuration of workers within the health services? Does he agree that this is a result of the failure to properly explain to and engage with the union and its membership and that people feel they have been left in the dark?

Will the Taoiseach explain to the House why, a short time before the changeover from what remains of the health board structures to the new Health Services Executive, we are looking at absolute chaos? Why has the Government so mis-managed this proposed transition? Is the Taoiseach also aware that people with disabilities have expressed concern? While they have been engaged in a liaison role with the existing health structures, they are in the dark as to how they are to relate to the new health structure when it is established. This is a further example of the same approach with regard to the IMPACT union.

Will the Taoiseach explain why the Minister for Health and Children has deemed it necessary to reappoint the existing chief executive officers of the outgoing health boards for a further six months?

The Deputy's time has concluded.

Does all this not indicate that we will face weeks and possibly months — God knows how long — of bureaucratic chaos in the course of this transition? Energy will be spent on this that would have been better employed in ensuring there is delivery of critical services at the coalface of the health service, in terms of the appointment of more nurses, seriously tackling the crisis in the accident and emergency sector and making more beds available.

The Deputy must give way to the Taoiseach. He has gone a minute over his time.

The Government regrets that Professor Aidan Halligan will not take up the job of leading the new Health Service Executive. We respect the reasons he has given for his decision. Professor Halligan made his decision clear to Kevin Kelly, the chairman of the interim HSE last week. Mr. Kelly kept the Tánaiste informed on all aspects of the transition to the new HSE. There will be no loss of momentum in the reform programme. Interviews for the second tier of management are completed and announcements about that level of senior management will be made. Professor Halligan has opted to stay in the health service in Britain. It is his decision and I respect it.

We have worked on the legislation giving effect to the reform programme over the past three years. We have worked through all the agencies, including IMPACT and the other unions. They are clear about the structure; it has long been outlined to them. Nobody will lose their position or have their conditions changed. That was made clear from the outset.

Obviously, in the reform of a health service there will be changes, including in the structures. The health boards are gone and the legislation has been passed. We must reform the health service. This is a small country and 100,000 people work in the service. We spend €11 billion per year on the service so obviously there will be changes and reforms along the way. We will have to deal with those issues as we proceed. I hope the trade union leaders will engage with the changes and the restructuring. There is no need to attempt to ratchet up concerns or fears among ordinary staff members who are doing a good job and most of whom are unlikely to experience change in any significant manner.

It will be the Government's job to put the Health Service Executive in place, resource it and, as the Deputy said, try to provide a better service in a more meaningful way. That is what is necessary and it is set out in the programme. The programme is being followed and it is clear from the Brennan report, the Prospectus report and other initiatives what the Government is endeavouring to do.

The Taoiseach indicated that Professor Halligan advised Kevin Kelly of the circumstances surrounding his decision. My question was whether the Taoiseach would advise the House of his understanding of those reasons. He clearly failed to do that. Will the Taoiseach outline his understanding of the reasons that Professor Halligan took this decision at such a late hour?

Furthermore, the Taoiseach said that nobody would lose his or her position. However, with regard to the IMPACT trade union and those with disabilities who have voiced their concerns, nobody seems to know what is before them. This House, too, remains in the dark about this. The recent statement from the Tánaiste, which was relayed by the Progressive Democrats, indicates that she might want to increase private sector involvement in the health services. How does that affect the Taoiseach, given that he is such an exponent of republican and socialist ideals? Does he believe the further privatisation of the health services is the way forward, in view of the problems we currently face?

The Deputy's time has concluded.

Is the Tánaiste's interest in moving in that direction not underlined by her recent visit to New York to inform herself about the New York experience?

The Deputy cannot continue to ignore the Standing Order. The Standing Order applies to the Deputy in the same way as to other Members.

Will the Taoiseach answer the questions I posed?

I did not speak to Professor Halligan so I cannot give precise details. The Government had been in negotiation with him during the summer about conditions, moving and related issues. We had finalised a very satisfactory package. It was well known that Professor Halligan was probably coming here, although it was generally expected in the medical business in the UK that he would have got the top job there. He had agreed and signed up but, on reflection, he decided to stay in the UK for family reasons. That is his purpose. I wish him well in the top job in the UK, which he will probably get.

With regard to the Health Service Executive, we have laid down in the reforms over recent years what we are seeking to do. It has been clearly set out. There was an enormous round of discussions based on the Prospectus, Brennan and other consultants' reports and now we will implement them. Of course, change creates problems and difficulties but with the goodwill of everybody we will have a better service that will help individual patients. That is the purpose of the reforms.