John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. O'Brien for coming before the committee and for his presentation. He also came before the committee at the start of this process. I am now a hell of a lot more knowledgeable of the system then I was back then and it is very beneficial to have Mr. O'Brien before the committee again. We are focusing on number of areas we see as critical for our report to give the health system an opportunity to succeed.

An issue that keeps arising is the lack of accountability throughout the entire HSE. I will ask Mr. O'Brien a very direct question. In the structures under which he operates, can he bring about accountability? Is the system so far gone that it is impossible for him to do so? What would make it possible? If we do not have accountability in health system we will not solve the problems. This theme has arisen with group after group which has come before the committee over the past four or five months. Is it possible for Mr. O'Brien to do the job he was employed to do in the current circumstances? Do we need to introduce legislation or changes to allow him fulfil his role? For how long has Mr. O'Brien been in his current position?