David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I do not think that it is acceptable and will explain why. Mr. O'Brien has come to the committee weeks after the scandal frightened the women of Ireland and days after a number of the women affected have asked him to stand down from his position. From today, we know that Mr. O'Brien believes a number of individuals made mistakes, but he is not prepared to say who they are. Even when it is pointed out to him who one of the individuals is, he is still not prepared to accept it, nor is he prepared to accept that a circular sent by the HSE, I imagine on HSE-headed paper, bearing the brand of the HSE, was sent by the organisation, not by individuals as individuals. He is still sitting here not able to answer straight questions or to accept any accountability - whatever about responsibility, Mr. O'Brien is accountable - and not even prepared to accept that the issuing of the circular and the instructions given represented a systemic failure.

I may never have another chance to see Mr. O'Brien before the Committee of Public Accounts or in any forum. I do not believe, given all his years of public service, all the years he has worked in the HSE, he does not understand it is a systemic failure. Frankly, I do not believe he does not believe it was a systemic failure.