Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I conclude by thanking everybody who is present. I hope the witnesses will not mind if I do not name everybody and single out Mr. Larry Reilly and Mr. Paul Howard of the Department of Health and Mr. Ray Mitchell of the HSE for their assistance in co-ordinating the meetings. In the malaise and negativity in the media, it is forgotten that we have excellent people working in the health service who have delivered changed work practices and work schedules and greater efficiency. It is a tribute to everybody. I pay tribute to all the staff working in the HSE and the Department of Health no matter who they are. Any hospital or health service facility one walks into is fantastic. I note to Mr. Tony O'Brien and his staff that at a time when public servants are being criticised, my experience has been that HSE staff are courteous and efficient. If the answer is "No", they will say so, but one receives a reply. To be fair to the PCRS staff and Mr. Burke, I thank them for the fact that they reply to Members of the Houses. While officials may feel that we may be too aggressive in some cases in our job of holding them to account, they should know that we appreciate the work of the staff at all levels in the HSE and Department of Health.