Haydn Shaughnessy asks are we really better off? The year in quotes.
THEY SAID:
"It will not be driven by any ideology. It will be driven with one motive, and one motive only in mind: what is in the interest of the patients and the people of this country?"
- The Tánaiste Ms Harney in her first speech to the Dáil as Minister for Health describing her approach to the job.
"Personally I blame the Irish... I would have laid bets that the reeking pubs of Dublin would be the last to fall victim to the Smoke Police. Instead they were meekly among the first." - Keith Waterhouse, British playwright and columnist, on plans to ban smoking in public places in England
"We have decided by way of a goodwill gesture to make repayments [of to people with full eligibility who have paid charges to date."
- Minister for Health, Ms Harney, announcing a token repayment of "unsound" nursing home charges
"We have to put pressure on the fast food industry, as well as the food companies. I think it's very important for us to call them in and say it's about time that you put healthier foods on your menus."
- US Health Secretary Mr Tommie Thompson speaking in Ireland about obesity
WE SAID:
"Mary Harney's move to health may see her free-market principles bring about a distinctive shift towards private provision of health services... She could become the Minister who finally delivers on health service reforms."
- Mark Brennock of The Irish Times on the Harney move
"Harney must drive the process of change with a strong political hand, otherwise it could easily be blown off course."
- Dr Muiris Houston of The Irish Times on the Harney era after "white knight" Prof Aidan Halligan, withdrew as chief executive-designate from the Health Service Executive