asked the Minister for Health if the difficulties as to interpretation of functions between the chief executive officers of health boards and the local government auditors given as an explanation of the delay in the presentation of certain annual reports of Health Boards in his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 24 of 13 March 1980, have yet been resolved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Board Reports.
41.
A ruling was given in the High Court on 19 May in relation to a particular issue arising from the matters referred to by the Deputy which arose on an application for a mandamus order by the auditor to the Western Health Board. I understand that this was discussed at a meeting of the Western Health Board yesterday and that it was decided to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.
Question No. 42.
Did the Minister say——
I have called Question No. 42.
There were a number of postponements. I was watching the monitor and it was only at No. 29——
The Chair is not responsible for that but the Deputy may ask a brief supplementary.
It has gone to the Supreme Court—or at least they have made a decision to bring it to the Supreme Court.
Would the Minister personally take an interest in this matter with a view to getting it sorted out in view of the fact that it has resulted in the fact that these boards have not presented reports to the House since 1974 in some cases?
If the matter is in the courts I do not think we should pursue it.
It is, now, in effect. I understand that the matter was discussed at a meeting of the Western Health Board yesterday and that it was decided to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. It is a matter that I think is sub judice at the moment.
When it is a matter before the courts we are not discussing it. Sorry, Deputy Bruton should not rush around like that.
If I did not rush, I would not have been here.