Ms Mary Dunnion:

With regard to the question on a potential conflict of interest, we recognise in setting up any investigation team that there is such potential. In the case of our patient advocate representative, the many roles Ms Murphy had both in the HSE and the WHO were recognised immediately. We recognised the potential of that bias and put the controls in place. For example, Ms Murphy did not actively participate in the HSE risk management forums, in respect of which she had a key role. She identified that she was a member of the investigation team and, as a consequence, worked specifically on the investigation. We were confident that there was no conflict of interest in that regard.

The patient safety culture assessment had been conducted by the HSE prior to or at the beginning of the investigation. However, I believe the return rate of the survey on patient safety culture was approximately 8%. I may be incorrect.