asked the Minister for Health if he will state what are the functions of the Hospitals' Commission; the personnel of the commission; and the assets this body held on 31st May, 1947.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospitals' Commission.
(a) The Hospitals' Commission was established under Section 14 of the Public Hospitals Act, 1933. The functions of the commission were set out in Section 17 of the above Act.
(b) The personnel of the commission are: Michael W. Doran, B.E., M.I.C.E. (Chairman); John A. Madden, M.D., B.Ch., D.P.H.; Séamus O'Ceallaigh, B.A., B.Ch., M.A.O.; Liam O'Doherty, Edward Kelly, Michael Kilroy.
(c) The assets of the Hospitals' Commission (including those of Dublin Hospitals' Bureau), as at 31st May, 1947, were:
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
|
Office Furniture and Equipment |
434 |
11 |
7 |
|
Cash in Bank |
131 |
1 |
9 |
|
Petty Cash on hands |
10 |
1 |
10 |
|
Total |
£575 |
15 |
2 |
Is the Minister prepared to inform the House what are the qualifications of the gentlemen mentioned in his reply as members of the Hospitals' Commission for advising in matters of the kind likely to come before that commission for review?
The Deputy did not ask for that information in his question.
No, Sir. I was making the inquiry by way of supplementary question. I could not very well ask when I did not know who they were but I think anyone who had heard the names read out would be moved to ask what on earth did these fellows know about hospitals, or some of them in any case. Could the Minister tell us?
They are the best qualified available. The chairman is an engineer with a knowledge of hospital construction. There are two medical men, an auditor and two men who have been on local authorities.
Do I take it that the two men who have been on local authorities can claim no other qualification for this job?
They have all the qualifications necessary.
Is there any connection between the appointment of one of them, at least, with the fact that he was chief henchman of the ex-Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Local Government in South Monaghan?
That should not disqualify him.
It should not disqualify him but certainly it should not qualify him.