With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 60 and 61 together. I have seen this and other newspaper reports on the matter mentioned by Deputy Burke. All the members of Comhairle na nOspidéal are, under regulations approved by this House, selected and appointed by the Minister for Health. Members of the comhairle, when acting in that capacity, are not subject to formal directions by me. Three of the 23 members of the comhairle are officers of my Department. As is the case with the several other health bodies on which departmental officers serve, detailed directions are not given to such officers on the performance of their role as members of the body. However, it is expected that, in participating in the work of outside health agencies, officers of the Department will act in accordance with the general policies of the Minister of the day and, indeed, a significant part of a civil servant's role as a member of an outside body lies in his being able to interpret ministerial policy to the body concerned.
Comhairle na nOspidéal, at a meeting on 21 June 1978 had before them the issue as to whether or not a post of obstetrician-gynaecologist should be approved for Roscommon hospital. The issue is a complex one. At a number of informal discussions between officers of the Department and members of An Comhairle, it was made clear that the medical view of the comhairle was in accordance with the expert report "Development of Hospital Maternity Services" which they issued in May 1976 and which stresses the medical advantages, both for safer births and the avoidance of handicap in children, of concentrating obstetrical work in large units, well-staffed and properly equipped.
I respected this authoritative medical advice on the location of maternity units, even though I might have to decide to weigh social factors with medical considerations in taking these decisions. The Western Health Board, in advocating a post of consultant obstetrician-gynaecologist for Roscommon hospital, were influenced by social factors, but I should say that they also had expert medical advice within their area which suggested that such an appointment would be satisfactory.
Bearing in mind all the factors, I was willing to accept the view of the Western Health Board and I let it be known that, should the comhairle approve of the post in Roscommon, I would approve the necessary financial provision for the post. Before the comhairle meeting at which this was to be considered, Dr. Cyril Joyce, Chief Medical Officer in my Department and a member of the comhairle, had it made known to me that he shared the very strong medical views against the appointment for Roscommon on the terms sought by the Western Health Board, and he could not in conscience, as a doctor, support this proposal at the comhairle. I respected his medical opinion and agreed that he should not be asked to attend the meeting of the comhairle on 21 June, at which the decision on the Roscommon appointment was to be taken.
62.
