Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

St. Vincent's hospital is getting substantial amounts of taxpayers' money. I accept fully what it is saying about the investigation. My concern is that the letter does not set out a timeframe for how long the investigation is likely to take. The representatives say they are happy to come before the committee once the investigation is completed, but when will that be? Will it be in a week, a month, three months or three years? I am concerned that no timeframe has been set. I certainly think the committee should write to them stating that members expect them to come before the joint committee within a certain period to answer the valid questions that members want to ask. Taxpayers' money is being channelled from the Department of Health to the HSE and to them. They are accountable back along the line, but they are also accountable to the Joint Committee on Health and Children. It is extremely important that we get answers to the questions that are being raised.