Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Goulding. I have a few questions for the HSE. I regret the fact that the entire discussion about section 38 and section 39 agencies has become dominated by two organisations, the CRC and Rehab. That is not to say that I do not believe our actions were correct; I believe they were. Both organisations needed serious examination but there are many more, and we have to be very careful that we do not end up having a situation where we exhaust one organisation while letting others off the hook, for want of a better phrase. We have had a number of larger organisations and a number of hospitals where significant concerns have been expressed by many members of this committee, and indeed by the HSE, with regard to their own practices, for example, the interpretation of the consultants' contract in St. Vincent's hospital, which seems to be unique, if not bizarre, and which Ms McGuinness's director general has told me clearly he does not accept as correct. In that hospital also we have had a very unique and interesting relationship between public and private, with public buildings mortgaged for the development of private entities. We have had concerns about the national maternity hospital and some potential linkages with private business there, and salary levels. I understand 1 July, which is only two days ago, was the date by which the HSE had informed this committee that it hoped to have resolutions to some of these matters in terms of bringing organisations into compliance. Is Ms McGuinness in a position to cast any light on it today?