Simon’s not in charge here

HOW pathetic and ridiculous Simon Harris seems in your report about his ‘tirade’ at health officials (MoS, May 6).

The Health Minister’s approach since the cervical smear scandal broke has been to tell us repeatedly how angry and shocked he is.

But the whole system has been carefully set up to make sure the minister isn’t really in charge of the system.

With the creation of the HSE, our politicians were able to effectively hand over responsibility for running the health service to a bunch of public servants. It means that every time a scandal emerges, the health minister, whether it’s Harris or one of his predecessors, can express shock and anger and promise enquiries. But the minister can’t be directly blamed for any of it.

Where’s the democratic accountability in that?

Brenda Whelan, Dublin 15.