I move:
That the period for reporting back of the Select Committee on the Health Services be extended to 31st March, 1963.
Select Committee on Health Services: Motion.
Might I ask if there is any explanation forthcoming from the Chairman of the Select Committee as to the reason why the period for reporting back is being extended to 31st March, 1963? When the Select Committee was set up to examine into the health services, the idea was that the examination would be expeditious and that a prolonged and unnecessary delay such as seems to arise now would not be tolerated. The House was given an assurance that before November next, we would have some indication in the form of a preliminary report from the Select Committee as to their proposals. Now, the Chairman of the Select Committee comes into this House and asks for an extension of time to March, 1963. Before the House gives authority for that extension, we must have the fullest possible information from the Chairman of the Committee as to the reason for the postponement and an indication as to when a final report will be ready.
The Select Committee has met on a number of occasions since its appointment. There was a meeting on 13th March, followed by meetings on 29th May, 19th June and 10th July. Representations from interested bodies and persons who would be prepared to give information were invited by newspaper advertisement on 19th March. In the advertisement, it was requested that these representations be received on or before 12th May. In the event, a very considerable volume of representations was received by that date. When the Select Committee was made aware that representations from a number of other responsible bodies were in the course of preparation and would not be available before 12th May, the Committee decided to extend the date to the 15th August, 1962. It has transpired since then that a number of health authorities, including Dublin Corporation, would not be in a position to have their representations in by the 15th August. Having regard to the desirability of having representations from as many representative bodies as possible, the Select Committee has decided that it could not possibly complete its work within the time assigned. It was felt, and rightly so, that an extension of time was both necessary and desirable and it was unanimously decided that 31st March should be the extended date. Accordingly, I ask that the motion be approved.
Is it permissible to ask a question on this report?
Not on the actual report. The only matter before the House is the motion for leave to extend the time by which the Committee must report back to the House.
May I enquire when the Committee was actually set up and how many meetings have since been held?
The Deputy has already given that information.
He mentioned some meetings.
We have had four meetings since the appointment of the Select Committee.
You broke your hearts. You need a long rest.
We had to extend the time because many of the health authorities, including the one of which Deputy McQuillan is a member, have either not submitted their representations or indicated that they proposed to do so.
At this rate, we shall not get a report from this Committee until after the next election.
Before the House comes to a decision on this motion, may we extract from the Chairman——
The Deputy may make only one speech.
I want to ask a question. Is the Chairman of the Select Committee blaming the local authorities for the failure to produce this report? Is it the position that the local authorities throughout the country have failed to submit their reports and that the Chairman and members of this Committee are hiding behind——
That is a rhetorical question, not a question of fact. Motion agreed?
I want to be taken as objecting.
That is a sure sign we are doing the right thing.
Question put and agreed to, Deputy McQuillan dissenting.