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supports an overall review to be implemented by phase. So when we vote in a minute or two, I know what to do. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (in Cantonese):—If no one else wants to speak, I will ask the mover of the original motion to exercise his right of reply. Mr. CHAN Choi-hi.
MR. CHAN CHOI-HI (in Cantonese):-I have listened carefully to what Members said and I am pleased that today's motion has sparked off a lot of valuable opinions. They confirm that we are all concerned about the work of the Department. I would like to respond to a number of points.
First, I support Mr. Wu Chi-wai's point about 'incestuous reproduction'. Relying on the Department to carry out this mechanism of self-improvement does not give me confidence. Do you want to know why? In fact, my motion today was meant to be moved a year ago. The Department and some Members said to me, 'Wait a bit, CHAN Choi-hi. Give us a chance and see how things are in a year's time.' A year later, as described by Ms. Ada WONG, we are staying put. Nothing is changed and mistakes are allowed to continue.
The case of the Cheung Sha Wan Abattoir quoted by many Members was first brought out 18 months ago. The Department presented a plan on the points we raised at the last meeting of the Public Health Select Committee. Basically, with the exception of Mr. WONG Kwok-hing, Members opposed it. We were dissatisfied with that plan and we were in favour of a further review. As such, I must say that I do not have confidence in relying on the Department to work out plans.
It is not just 'incestuous reproduction'; it is sex without love and the birth of a defective baby. On the question of a consultancy firm, I think that purely from the management angle, its participation is necessary. It is also necessary from the angle of cost-effectiveness.
Again on the case of the Cheung Sha Wan Abattoir. If we have a consultancy firm report at an earlier stage, we could have saved a lot of money. We may have to pay $1 million as consultancy fee and some Members may feel we are wasteful, but in fact we have to consider the scale of the matter and the time involved. I think we cannot make use of this point about waste of resources to oppose the motion. It does not make sense. On the contrary, if a consultancy report can effectively help us to save money, it is a good one. We should not judge from the angle of whether we have knowledge. A consultancy firm can provide information/material to which we as Councillors have no access.
Some Members have mentioned the point of morale. I have to point out expressly that if we do not get down to business and decide on a review, in the end we will be buried under the bureaucratic structure.
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Page 255 of 498
498
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supports an overall review to be implemented by phase. So when we vote in a minute or two, I know what to do. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (in Cantonese):—If no one else wants to speak, I will ask the mover of the original motion to exercise his right of reply. Mr. CHAN Choi-hi.
MR. CHAN CHOI-HI (in Cantonese):-I have listened carefully to what Members said and I am pleased that today's motion has sparked off a lot of valuable opinions. They confirm that we are all concerned about the work of the Department. I would like to respond to a number of points.
First, I support Mr. Wu Chi-wai's point about 'incestuous reproduction'. Relying on the Department to carry out this mechanism of self improvement does not give me considence. Do you want to know why? In fact, my motion today was meant to be moved a year ago. The Department and some Members said to me, 'Wait a bit, CHAN Choi-hi. Give us a chance and see how things are in a year's time.' A year later, as described by Ms. Ada WONG, we are staying put. Nothing is changed and mistakes are allowed to continue.
The case of the Cheung Sha Wan Abattoir quoted by many Members was first brought out 18 months ago. The Department presented a plan on the points we raised at the last meeting of the Public Health Select Committee. Basically, with the exception of Mr. WONG Kwok-hing, Members opposed it. We were dissatisfied with that plan and we were in favour of a further review. As such, I must say that I do not have confidence in relying on the Department to work out plans.
It is not just 'incestuous reproduction'; it is sex without love and the birth of a defective baby. On the question of a consultancy firm, I think that purely from the management angle, its participation is necessary. It is also necessary from the angle of cost-effectiveness.
Again on the case of the Cheung Sha Wan Abattoir. If we have a consultancy firm report at an earlier stage, we could have saved a lot of money. We may have to pay $1 million as consultancy fee and some Members may feel we are wasteful, but in fact we have to consider the scale of the matter and the time involved. I think we cannot make use of this point about waste of resources to oppose the motion. It does not make sense. On the contrary, if a consultancy report can effectively help us to save money, it is a good one. We should not judge from the angle of whether we have knowledge. A consultancy firm can provide information/material to which we as Councillors have no
access.
Some Members have mentioned the point of morale. I have to point out expressly that if we do not get down to business and decide on a review, in the end we will be buried under the bureaucratic structure.
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