Vol. 520 No. 1
207 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the contents of a book (details supplied) which was highly critical of the way in which policy is formulated in his Department. [15119/00]
I am aware of the publication to which the Deputy refers. The Deputy will know that it has been the practice of successive Governments to establish expert groups, working groups, task forces and commissions to advise them on specific issues. The Deputy will understand that Ministers and Governments must retain the prerogative to decide what recommendations of such groups they will implement in the light of the needs and priorities in the health area and in the broader public policy context where such recommendations might have implications for other Government Departments.
I do not accept that this reflects any fundamental defect in policy formulation. Rather, it underlines not only the participative nature of policy advice in the health services but also the ultimate accountability of the Minister and his Department for the decisions made on foot of policy advice.
