Vol. 417 No. 7
117 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the procedural and operational changes he proposes to introduce into the operation of his Department so as to give effect to the Taoiseach's statement of his commitment to open Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I feel I have already demonstrated during my brief term in office my full endorsement of the Taoiseach's commitment to openness in Government. It is my intention to continue and extend this approach so as to ensure that the general public are at all times fully informed of my actions and those of my Department. In this regard, I am particularly conscious of the sensitivities attaching to the health services and of the deep anxieties that misinformation can engender among those dependent on those services. On the other hand, I must protect and maintain the practice of confidentiality in dealing with issues affecting individual patients.
In giving this commitment, I am also conscious of the long tradition within my Department of wide-ranging consultations with the various interest groups represented in the health sector as part of ongoing policy development.
