The Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, has suggested the setting up of a patient-care authority.
"It would be similar to a surgeon general's office, which would have its own chief executive and staff to cut through the bureaucracy which does not allow the Minister for Health and Children to do his job. It would be patient care and continuity care at the heart of the system, which is what we want."
Mr Kenny said people were looking for leadership in the health sector, and the Minister had fallen down on his responsibilities because of the constraints in the system.
"I am suggesting a way out of this. We can set up an interim authority to deal with patient care, and put that authority at the heart of what people need now. I offer the Taoiseach the support of this side of the House in facilitating whatever time is needed in the Dáil to get that authority up and running."
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said he welcomed Mr Kenny's constructive remarks, as there were limitations within the legislation. He added that the health board, medical health officers and clinical professionals were the people who must make the decisions.
"Obviously, the health board has a role, and in many cases the Minister gets drawn in, though historically that was not the case." Mr Ahern said they were now moving from the health board structure to the hospital service executive system, which would mean enormous reforms. "These issues are not just matters of staff or resources. It is a question of reform and that is why the Government is so anxious to implement a reform programme."
Mr Kenny said there were litanies of misfortune every day in the newspapers. Two-hundred people were waiting for beds, while there were nursing crises, patient-care crises and grave blunders within the system.
"While it is not directly the fault of the Taoiseach or the Minister, people die while waiting for treatment. A political response is required to cut through all of this and have an effective response from the Department." Mr Ahern said he did not wish to be simplistic.
"Hospital cases which give rise to clinical difficulties will still exist, but through reform we can bring a far better and more transparent service to the public."
