Statement by the Minister for Defence, Michael Smith T.D.
Over the years, I have always supported Government policy and promoted and implemented extremely difficult decisions in the national interest. In doing so, I received full support from all my colleagues in Government and particularly from the Taoiseach, in overcoming the challenges associated with reforming the Defence sector.
I wish to clarify my position on the implementation of the Hanly Report. The report, which forms an integral part of the Government's strategy for health service reform, was prepared in order to secure compliance with the European Working Time Directive in the case of non- consultant hospital doctors. Together with the rest of the Government, I accept fully that this requires a fundamental reorganisation in acute hospital services to provide a safe and high- quality service for patients.
In particular, we need to implement a consultant-provided model of acute service delivery, in place of the present largely consultant-led and NCHD-provided model.
The Government decided that the report should be implemented on a phased basis, in a way which takes local geographical and demographic factors into consideration. While the report looked in some detail at the organisation of acute hospital services in the Mid- West Regional Health Board area, implementation will require that all local circumstances are taken into account. It was in that context that I expressed my genuine concern for flexibility in maintaining acute services in the County Hospital in Nenagh.
As a member of the Government, I am fully committed to the policy and decisions of the Government. Accordingly, I am fully committed to the principles of the Hanly recommendations.
The changes required to produce a consultant-provided service which ensures high-quality, safe patient care are challenging. While I believe that local opinion and experiences must be taken fully into account, I regret that my comments were taken as weakening the strategy or undermining other public representatives in their support for Government policy, or making it difficult for others in constituencies referred to in the Report.
This Government, under the leadership of the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, T.D., is providing excellent leadership. I am privileged to be a member of it. With my colleagues, I have the opportunity to contribute to a healthy debate on all issues of significant policy which come before the Government. That was the case in respect of the Hanly Report, also. I therefore deeply regret the appearance which my remarks may have created of being at variance with Government policy.