asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in approving the appointment of two members on the Western Health Board to represent Galway County Borough which was established on 1 January 1986.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Western Health Board Representation.
49.
I am not opposed in principle to granting representation on the Western Health Board to Galway County Borough. As I explained to the Deputy in reply to a parliamentary question in March last, I considered it vital to review the position carefully before arriving at a decision in the light of the necessary assessment of the organisation of the health board structure generally and its composition.
Is the Minister aware that each county borough has representation on its local health board and Galway County Borough is the only corporation area in the country which is being denied representation on the Western Health Board? This has been denied since the county borough was established on 1 January 1986. Will the Minister accept that that answer might have been understood when given by his predecessor who indicated publicly that he had proposals to alter the number of health boards and to change them basically but he is on public record as favouring the continuation of the health boards as presently structured? In the light of that surely it is unreasonable to continue to deny a corporation area, where there are three major hospitals, two of which are teaching hospitals, doctors and nurses in major training areas and where there is located a major medical school and a number of other medical facilities——
This is a very long question. The Deputy is introducing extraneous matter.
In view of that, would the Minister not agree that it is unfair to continue to deny the Galway borough representation on the Western Health Board?
I reiterate that I support the concept of the eight health boards. However, I am examining the structure of those health boards and their composition. In that context I will be taking into account the need for representation from the county borough of Galway on the Western Health Board.
Is it true that the Minister said he has been considering this matter since last March? Surely it is unreasonable to continue to give that answer. It could not possibly be accepted by any person who understands the facts. Is it not true that the political balance on the Western Health Board might be a factor which is influencing the Minister? In view of recent decisions made by political representatives on that board, surely it is imperative that an area where there are major hospitals should have representation to protect the interests of the hospitals and institutions in that area?
I said I was considering the question of representation from the county borough of Galway on the health board since last March. I have not been considering the structure of the health boards since last March. Most of my time, as the House is aware, has been taken up with the provision of services. It is interesting that of the three Priority Questions on the Order Paper today not one refers to services.
I wish to give notice of my intention to raise the matter of representation on the Adjournment. It has a major bearing on the level of services in the Galway Corporation area because the services there are being wiped out.
I will communicate with the Deputy.