asked the Minister for Health the number of bodies under the aegis of his Department whose terms of office have expired; the date of expiry; and the reasons in each case for failure to appoint new members.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Bodies' Members.
11.
There are six bodies under the aegis of my Department whose terms of office have expired. The bodies in question and the date of expiry of their respective terms of office are: National Health Council, 31 March 1978; National Social Service Council, 30 June 1978; Comhairle na Nimheanna, 31 August 1978; Council for Post-Graduate Medical & Dental Education, 19 December 1978; Comhairle na nOspidéal, 31 December 1978; Dublin Dental Hospital Board, 31 December 1978.
I have the reconstitution of these bodies under active consideration. In many cases, questions relating to possible revision of the future role or format of the organisation need to be determined and the selection of individuals for any one body may effect decisions on the membership of others. However, I would hope to have these issues resolved in the near future.
It was difficult to follow the Minister as he speed through the reply. Did I hear him say that two of these bodies have been out of operation, one for six months and the other for more than nine months? I am talking about the National Health Council and the National Social Services Council. They have not met for six months and nine months respectively.
Yes.
Does the Minister mean that these two bodies have not met for several months?
Yes, and it is no good repeating it.
It certainly is, because I have had complaints from members of these bodies who have been left in limbo. The purpose of these bodies was——
We cannot have argument. This is Question Time.
Six different bodies are involved here.
That does not matter. I am concerned with the relevancy of the question.
(Cavan-Monaghan): The Chair is entitled to rule on the relevancy——
He is entitled to rule.
(Cavan-Monaghan): —but he is not entitled to shut down on all supplementaries. On a point of order——
There is not a point of order. The Deputy did not get up to ask a question. He got up to create an argument. At Question Time I will not allow a discussion or an argument. Question No. 12.
(Cavan-Monaghan): The Chair is not entitled to shut down on all supplementaries.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply I wish to give notice that I intend to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of this question.
I will communicate with the Deputy.