Mr SPEAKERI have received a letter from the Hon Ruth Dyson seeking to debate under Standing Order 380 the appointment of Dr Murray Horn as the establishment chair of the new National Health Board advisory board. This is a particular case of recent occurrence and does involve ministerial responsibility. However, the appointment of individuals by Ministers to positions, even important ones such as this, will not usually give grounds for a debate. To justify a matter taking precedence over other business, there must be an element of urgency or substantive policy change.
An appointment has been made as part of new supervision arrangements being put in place within the Ministry of Health—at least that is why the appointment has been made. However, the existing district health board governance structure still remains in place. There are other parliamentary opportunities to consider the leadership and operation of the supervision arrangements for district health boards—in particular, the financial review of the Ministry of Health, which is now before the Health Committee. I do not think I would be justified in giving priority to this particular issue over other business of the House today.
The application is therefore declined.