asked the Minister for Health when the departmental committee on the functions and work of health inspectors reported; if it is intended to publish the report and implement its recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Inspectors' Functions Report.
5.
The committee, who were set up jointly by the Ministers for Health and for the Environment in September 1979, have not reported as yet. I am aware that certain difficulties arose in the preparation of an agreed report by the group and that these difficulties have not been resolved. I am at present considering whether any useful purpose can be served by the continued existence of this committee and I am pursuing this question with the Tánaiste and Minister for the Environment. I will communicate further with the Deputy on this matter.
Did I understand the Minister to say the committees were set up in 1979 and have not reported to date? If so, does be expect them to report? I understood him to say he wondered whether it was appropriate that they should continue in existence at this time.
Considerable difficulties have arisen in respect of this committee which met on 28 September 1979. There were nominations by the Minister for Health onto the committee. There were nominations by the Minister for the Environment, by the Local Government and Public Services Union, a chief executive officer of the health board and a city and county manager. Unfortunately, the committee's work has proved somewhat abortive. As I indicated, I am considering whether the group as at present constituted will be in a position to finalise their report, despite having had a draft report available to them since October 1980. In these circumstances I propose to discuss the matter further with the Minister for the Environment suggesting that the matter might be resolved on a departmental basis in an industrial relations setting rather than through an inter-departmental committee. It might best be resolved by the Department of the Environment with the trade union on an industrial relations basis.
Could the Minister give an indication of when he hopes to be in a position to make a statement on the functions of health inspectors as a result of his communication with the Minister for the Environment?
In the near future. The basic issue, as the Deputy will be aware, is one of demarcation affecting the group.