Yesterday, the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, addressed the Seanad about the reconfiguration of maternity services across hospital groups. He mentioned issues surrounding the procurement of the report which examines this. It has subsequently been brought to my attention that there may be serious repercussions to this statement and the Minister was not fully open or transparent with the information available to him. I understand the report to reconfigure maternity services was commissioned from a company called the Health Partnership and worker representatives believe the report will result in the closure of maternity centres in Portiuncula Hospital at Ballinasloe and in Letterkenny, with the possible downgrading of other services in the group. The company was set up by the current chairman of the hospitals group, Mr. Noel Daly, who was appointed as chairman of the group by the Minister who expressed full confidence in him at the time.

I ask the Senator to refrain from naming people in the House who are not here to defend themselves.

He is chairman of the hospital group in question and involved with the company which produced the report. It appears there may be a major conflict of interest in the commissioning of the report, and the Minister must make a clear statement that the report is to be withdrawn completely, with Mr. Daly to review his position as chairman of the board. When appointing chairpersons to the hospital group, the Minister identified a number of key responsibilities, including ensuring compliance with the code of practice for governance of State bodies, undertaking an assessment of the composition, competency, profile and potential conflicts of interest-----

The Senator cannot make allegations against individuals. Is there a question for the Leader?

I am stating what the Minister has said.

Is there a question for the Leader?

I have a number of pertinent questions for him. The person in question, the chair of the West/North West Hospitals Group, set up the company in 2004 and also appeared to be involved in plans to develop the €75 million Wyndale Clinic which was to be located on the grounds of Letterkenny hospital.

I have some serious questions to be addressed by the Minister. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister come to the Seanad today to answer these questions. Does he agree that the report into the reconfiguration of maternity services in the west and north west cannot be relied upon as independent and fully accountable and will he ask for it to be withdrawn immediately? Does he believe the chairman of the group should review his position? What is the nature of the relationship between the Minister and the chairman of the West/North West Hospitals group?

That is completely out of order as the Senator is reflecting on an individual.

What connection, if any, does the chairman have with Fine Gael?

I could rule the amendment out of order if the Senator continues.

It is very important as the Minister was not forthcoming when he had an opportunity yesterday to address these issues. He brought up the procurement issue, but he did not give us the full information he should have. We have seen decisions taken in the case of Ballinasloe-----

What is the proposed amendment?

I ask that the Minister come before the House to give us a full, frank and transparent report on the issues surrounding procurement of the report which considers the reorganisation of maternity services in the west and north west, as well as any matter around the chairmanship of the board. What is the appointment process for the chairpersons of boards? Was that process carried out through public appointment? I understand it was not.

I am sure the Leader will deal with that issue in his own time, but it is wrong to be impugning in this House the reputation of individuals, particularly when there are procedures in place that have withstood the test of time.

I am asking questions.

The manner in which people are appointed-----

On a point of order-----

What is the point of order?

I have asked questions. I have not impugned anybody's reputation.

The Senator's actions are irresponsible.

We are supposed to ask questions and call people to account.