Seanad report:The chief executive of the HSE, Prof Brendan Drumm, should clarify what he meant when he described the health services as dysfunctional, Liam Twomey (FG) said.
According to a newspaper, an internal memorandum from Prof Drumm to his managers clearly stated that the health service reforms had stalled and that the health services were dysfunctional and very expensive.
"What does he mean by saying that the health service reforms have stalled? He has held his position for the last three years and Minister Harney, who has executive responsibility for health services, says the reforms are proceeding as expected."
Jim Walsh (FF) welcomed the fact that the chief executive of a "company" was reminding his line managers of the need to drive the changes and improvements that were necessary
"He is doing that in the face of restrictive and outdated industrial relations practices within that organisation and every vested interest with their hands in the pot trying to ensure they gain from the billions of euro that have been trickling through that process, which is not getting to the patients for whom it was intended."
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Joe O'Toole (Ind) asked if the Taoiseach intended to emulate Éamon de Valera by moving from Leinster House to Áras An Uachtaráin. He noted that Mr Ahern had indicated that he would be around until 2011 at least. "That, coincidentally, is the same year as the next presidential election.
"Is it the intention of the Fianna Fáil leader to do as Mr de Valera did and move from here to the Phoenix Park in one swift movement?".
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There was a prevalence of cod in Leinster House, a Fianna Fáil member observed. During a debate on the future of the Irish fishing industry, Ned O'Sullivan noted that there was an excellent cafeteria in Leinster House.
"As you would expect, there's a fish dish on the menu every day. But it staggers me that seven out of eight days, it's cod."
Mr O'Sullivan urged Fisheries Minister of State John Browne to address this matter. "Why is it cod? I think there's very little profit in cod for the Irish fisherman . . . the general public think it's all a cod up here, but let's not reinforce that misapprehension."
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The loss of the network of remaining rural post offices would be nothing short of a national tragedy, Feargal Quinn (Ind) said. The presence of the local post office became even more important as schools and Garda stations closed. "In many cases, it now remains practically the only glue that holds a small rural community together."
"If you expect An Post to pay its way, then the death of the post offices is inevitable," said Mr Quinn.