Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I have very quick questions because I am brand new on the committee and do not know the history and legacy of all this. I often go on first impressions and my first impression is that there is a huge irony in having the chairperson of the Citizens Information Board being very reluctant to give information to those elected by the citizens. That is my impression of it. I understand what Ms Mangan is saying, which is that this KHSK document is very technical and that it is one of economic-speak, which is like lawyer-speak and doctor-speak. If that is the case, and I have not read it, I will have real difficulty reading it if that is what it is full of. An explanatory document attached to it would be very helpful not just to Deputies and Senators but to those at the front line of delivering the services. That is just my view. Could Ms Mangan tell me about KHSK because she also mentioned KPMG? Are they the same? Is KHSK a branch of KPMG? I have never heard of KHSK before and am just asking the question. It may have been asked of Ms Mangan previously by other Deputies in the past but it strikes me as quite an unusual selection. Did the Citizens Information Board put it out to tender? Why was KHSK chosen?

As somebody who is on the ground and has been talking to MABS services in Dublin South Central, my observation is that the concern about this restructuring goes beyond the members of the boards. It extends to the staff and is an issue about which the wider community which avails of the services is concerned. They are not kicking up a stink and will not have a revolution and I doubt they will upset the Citizens Information Board's plan but there is a concern that is wider than that indicated by Ms Mangan. If this concern runs deep and is widespread, naturally, information about minutes will leak. We do not live under Joe Stalin and people do talk.