asked the Minister for Health if he has any plans to allow urban district councils to nominate members directly onto health boards.
231.
Written Answers. - Health Boards Membership.
230.
asked the Minister for Health if he would consider giving representation to members of urban councils on the eight health boards throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions No. 230 and 231 together.
The Health Act, 1970, provides that local authority appointments to health boards are made by the relevant corporation or county council. There are no provisions in the Act for the appointment by urban district councils of members to health boards. As persons in the electoral areas of urban district councils are represented on health boards by virtue of local authority membership of boards and as local authority members are by statute in a majority on each health board I do not propose to amend the existing legislation in order to allow urban district councils appoint members to health boards.