Fine Gael and Labour today proposed the setting up of a patient's watchdog to put the safety of patients at the heart of the health service.
Both parties said there was a need for a tough watchdog with "real teeth and clear responsibilities" to set and monitor standards of patient safety in the health system.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny
They propose setting up of a Patient Safety Authority (PSA) to put in place systems which will ensure that a patient, who has a concern over their treatment or care, will have an advocacy system to resolve their complaint.
The scheme will also include a protection for whistleblowers to report wrongdoing in their workplace.
Other key functions of the PSA would be to oversee the registration and accreditation of hospital and inpatient facilities, act as the commissioner for mental health services, carry out quality reviews and act as an advisory body to the public, government, and HSE on matters relating to patient safety.
The proposal is the third chapter of an agreed joint programme for the health service between both the parties. They have previously focused on tackling the A&E crisis and re-prioritising mental health.
Speaking at the launch of the proposal today, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said he had been appalled by what he saw in some of the State hospitals and stressed that the health service must change and advance with the country.
"The PSA will be the patients' watchdog, making sure that the patient comes first. Recent experiences like Leas Cross show how this authority would contribute to the patients' safety. It is not about naming and shaming - it is about accountability," he said.
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte said the PSA will give protection to whistleblowers who act in good faith where there is danger to health and safety of a patient, staff member, and members of the public.
"The Labour Party has long sought protection for "whistleblowers" who are worried about bad practices or wrongdoing in their place of work. The PSA will give protection to whistleblowers who act in good faith where there is danger to health and safety of a patient, staff member or member of the public, miscarriages of justice or crimes or breaches of legal obligations, " he said.