Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief. I thank the witnesses for their attendance and, like my colleagues, acknowledge it is a difficult time for staff who made a huge commitment there in the provision of health care for many years. It is not easy for anyone who is dedicated and committed to his or her job to suddenly find one's employment changes overnight without any warning. I have examined the affidavit filed in the High Court and the financial position does not appear to have been great for some time. Were staff aware of the difficulties that existed or were they kept completely in the dark? The aforementioned affidavit indicates there appear to have been losses from 2007 onwards. The figures being given here in the affidavit, which I presume was filed, indicate annual losses since 2007 that vary between somewhat more than €1 million and €1.5 million. Three different figures were given in the end, which add up to approximately €43 million in liabilities. Were the staff aware of the difficulties? Was there any warning of such difficulties or was this all kept in the dark without any prior warning? If that was the position, it was very unfair. One problem that exists at present for everyone in private health care is there now is a lot of competition in that sector. Another issue is the number of people with private health insurance is decreasing. However, from a staff point of view, was there any pre-warning with regard to the financial difficulties that existed? As for re-organisation since 2007, was there consultation about creating efficiencies in order that the maximum number of jobs could be maintained throughout that period over the past six or seven years?