Still seeking the minister's attention

IN A recent interview the Minister for Health and Children, Micheál Martin, indicated that elected public representatives would have an opportunity to give an input into the running of the public health services.

This would through the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children.

In February 2004 a number of colleagues and I were highly critical of the behaviour of the Department of Health and Children in their running of the public health orthodontic service.

The committee decided that Mr Martin should be asked to present himself to explain what is going on within the public health orthodontic service.

Unfortunately, the minister has so far failed to make himself available.

Since he found time to be filmed having his breakfast in Bewley's on the morning the smoking ban was introduced, he might now be able to make time available to answer some serious questions regarding the running of the public health orthodontic service.

Ian O'Dowling,

Consultant Orthodontist,

Orthodontic Unit,

St Finbarr's Hospital,

Douglas Road,

Cork.