There have been reports today on an internal HSE audit into the awarding of contracts to a private company by the Saolta health group. It does not make for very good reading. It suggests a potential conflict of interest on the part of the former CEO, Mr. Bill Maher, who has now gone. At this juncture, the chairman at the Saolta group is operating on an acting basis. The Minister needs to appoint a chairman immediately to deal with this issue which gives rise to considerable concern, particularly in view of the fact that not so long ago the then chairman, Mr. Noel Daly, resigned in similar circumstances. This is not the first time the Saolta group has been rocked by this type of issue. The current thinking is that businessmen should head up public authorities such as Saolta and other Government agencies. With the old health boards presided over by politicians, this conflict of interest did not arise and it was not an issue that came to the fore. We may need to reconsider what politicians can or cannot do. I ask the Minister to move immediately to appoint a formal chairman as the person who is there is filling the role on an acting basis.

I agree with the sentiments expressed by the previous speaker on accountability in the HSE and not just with regard to sub-tendering for contracts for the provision of services. Democratic accountability in the HSE is at an all-time low. The old health board system had democratic accountability. The current forums do not represent democratic accountability. Major issues are emerging across the HSE budget which are very often beyond scrutiny. The Minister for Healtjh should consider beefing up the health forums to give democratic accountability to locally elected representatives to sit on those forums and hold the executive to account. That is not happening. The consensus among local authority members is that the forums are just talking shops. We need to beef up the democratic accountability to which reference has been made.

Ba mhaith liom dá dtiocfadh an tAire Stáit le freagracht as an nGaeltacht isteach anseo go luath agus is féidir tar éis sos an tsamhraidh díospóireacht a bheith againn ar chúrsaí Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta ar lá amháin. Mholfainn ansin go mbeadh díospóireacht againn ar lá eile maidir le Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge, straitéis atá an-tábhachtach, más féidir é sin a eagrú leis an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Seán Kyne.

Yesterday we debated Lowcostholidays. I have received calls from individuals who are stranded abroad. One couple left their hotel yesterday morning to go to the beach. When they returned, their belongings were in the hotel room but they did not have access because Lowcostholidays did not pay for the accommodation. There are major issues arising. To be fair, the Commission for Aviation Regulation and the banks seem to be co-operating. However, there is a bigger issue with the regulation of cheap holiday companies such as Lowcostholidays which went into administration at 4.30 p.m. on Friday last but which was still taking bookings at 4 p.m. that day. There are questions to be asked and the consumer protection agencies should be required to forewarn customers when companies are in financial difficulty. It may require change to the legislation but it should be considered.