Michael Joe Cosgrave
Question:25 Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will publish the letter of resignation of a person (details supplied) as chairperson of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service. [25551/01]
Written Answers. - Irish Blood Transfusion Service.
I am today arranging for the letter referred to by the Deputy to be placed in the Oireachtas Library. In the interest of fairness, I wish to advise the House that parties referred to in the letter may have a different perspective on the observations expressed.
I wish to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Professor Patricia Barker, former Chairperson of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service. Professor Barker made a major contribution to the reorganisation and redevelopment of the service. I wish to record my appreciation of her untiring effort and her commitment to the improvement of the service during her period of office.
I have recently appointed four new members to the board, including a new chairman, Mr. Michael McLoone, Donegal County Manager. I am fully satisfied that the competencies of the new appointees, allied with the skills and experience of existing members, will ensure that the service continues its programme of change and development. The major priority of the new chairman, the board together with the staff, is to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing environment in transfusion science in a positive and productive way that best meets the needs of our hospital services. For my part, I will ensure that necessary resources are available to the board so that its processes and procedures remain in line with the leading transfusion services internationally.