Ar dtús, ba mhaith liom a rá leis an Aire go bhfuil mé an-sásta go bhfuil cuma maith air. Tá súil agam go dtiocfaidh biseach air agus guím beatha agus sláinte air. Tá sé an-mhaith as a bheith anseo ag obair agus ag glacadh ceisteanna. Táimid buíoch dó agus tá súil agam go mbeidh beatha agus sláinte aige.

Last week in the Seanad the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, stated that an issue had arisen concerning the commissioning of a report on maternity services in the west and in the north west. This report was carried out by a private consultancy firm called The Health Partnership, also known as DNF Health Partnership, a company with a long record of promoting privatisation of health services. There are very great concerns in the west and in the north west that this report, if implemented, could result in the closure of maternity services in that region. Is the Minister aware that the founder and 50% shareholder of this private consultancy firm was appointed by the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, as chairperson of the west-north west hospitals group, a major State public health body? Does the Minister accept that this is a significant conflict of interest? Surely it is not appropriate that a major player in a private health consultancy firm that promotes privatisation of health services is appointed as the chair of a major public health body.

The Minister for Health has admitted that the commissioning of the report by this health partnership was not in accordance with HSE national financial regulations. Will the Minister for Health be called fully to account for making this appointment? Will the chair of the west-north west hospitals group be asked to stand down?

Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an Teachta as ucht an méid adúirt sé faoi mo chás féin agus as na dea ghuíonna a chuireann sé chugam.

On the issue raised by the Deputy, this is a rather small country and people have different roles to play at different times in their careers and sometimes there can be an appearance of conflict. As I understand, no conflict occurred in this case but I do not have an extensive brief on it so the best I can offer the Deputy is to get back to him on the issue in due course when I request a further brief from the Department of Health.

I am very disappointed with the Minister's answer. How can he decide that no conflict occurred in this case when he has said that he has not been briefed on this matter? These revelations are very serious and they expose once again, in my opinion, the unsuitability of the Minister for Health and also they expose the Government's gross mismanagement of the public health service. It does not matter what is the size of the State. We have just witnessed the shameful removal of discretionary medical cards from citizens who need them - one shameful act following another shameful act. I ask for the Minister's opinion on whether the report into the reconfiguration of maternity services in the west and the north west can be relied upon as an independent and fully accountable report, given that it was brought about by this private consultancy firm which promotes the privatisation of health services. Perhaps he could tell me whether the Government will ask for this report to be withdrawn immediately. Does he agree that the chairperson of this west-north west hospitals group should review his position? Should the Minister for Health consider his position? What is the nature of the relationship between the Minister for Health and the chairperson of the west-north west hospitals group? After all, the Minister for Health appointed this person. Does the Government retain confidence in the Minister for Health?

As I said I regret very much that I am not briefed on this particular issue. However, I will draw the Deputy's questions to the attention of the Minister for Health. I will ask him to answer the Deputy directly and possibly to answer them in the House subsequently.

I thank the Minister.