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Dáil
‹ Order of Business

HIQA report and health governance

Summary

Deputies raise the damning HIQA report on University Hospital Limerick, HSE leadership, and the resignation of a hospital-group chairman. The Ceann Comhairle limits discussion to promised legislation, and the Tánaiste says the Health Reform Bill will be taken during the session.

The recently published HIQA report on the accident and emergency unit at University Hospital Limerick and other governance issues at the hospital was alarming and damning. I was alarmed when I raised the issue in the Dáil on Tuesday and the Minister for Health informed me that he was an integral part of the Government and would resolve the matter. There are major problems with the governance structures of the HSE owing to the fact that it is going through a transition-----

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

We cannot have a debate on the HSE.

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It is a leaderless transition.

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Who set up the HSE?

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Who abolished it?

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We are not talking about that; we are talking about the fact that it is being abolished.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Excuse me; we are talking about promised legislation.

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In the summer legislative programme there is a Bill entitled, Health Reform Bill, to put in place new structures for a health service as set out in the document, Future Care.

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We are repairing the damage caused by the Deputy's party.

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Bernard Durkan Deputy Bernard J. Durkan Fine Gael

It is called denial.

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HIQA's report states there is no proper governance by the Department of Health which is the responsibility of the Minister, Deputy James Reilly-----

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

The Deputy did not hear me. We are talking promised legislation; we are not debating the Bill. When is the Bill due to be published? Let us not get excited about its content.

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It relates to the difficulties that arose in the context of the western group and the resignation of-----

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

I understand the concerns.

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All of these issues stem from a lack of leadership.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Not on the Order of Business.

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The Health Reform Bill will be taken this session.

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Will time be set aside for the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, to make a statement to the Dáil on the resignation last night of the chairman of the West and North-West Hospitals Group, Mr. Noel Daly, and the serious conflict of interest arising from the Minister's original appointment of Mr. Daly as chairman of the group?

In respect of the commission of investigation established to examine mother and baby homes and other institutions, I understand the interdepartmental group will report on 30 June. Will its report be published? In what format will it be published and will the Tánaiste confirm the date for publication and the laying of the terms of reference for the commission of investigation? Most importantly, will he confirm the timetable and the format of the consultation between the Government and Opposition parties and between the Government and survivors and campaign groups on the terms of reference, the scope of the investigation, the composition of the commission and other pertinent details?

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On the resignation of Mr. Daly, that issue can be pursued in the House in certain ways and it is a matter for the Deputy to decide if she wants to avail of them.

With regard to the commission of investigation, the work of the interdepartmental group will be concluded by 30 June. With regard to the establishment of the commission and its terms of reference, it is our intention to do it in a collaborative way with the Opposition parties which will be consulted.

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