Mr. Jim Breslin:

Obviously, I have to understand what somebody is saying when he or she says it, but I would be very disappointed if it was capable of being a true reflection of how the Department operated. I certainly feel we try to operate in a transparent fashion. We approach the need for transparency through our engagements with committees here, freedom of information requests and a range of other forms of accountability such as parliamentary questions. We are very serious about it. Dr. Holohan has spoken about probably some of the most difficult and sensitive engagements in which we have been involved when particular patient safety incidents required the Department to work with individuals and their families. We seek to do so in a very open and caring fashion. I do not say we have always got it right and that we get it right every time, but if somebody said it to me, I would take it very seriously because I would want to ensure, as we continued to develop the Department, it became one where its reputation would be quite the opposite of what has been said. I do not believe we have the veil of secrecy that is spoken about. Much of the interchange on health matters is done in a very open way and often the subject of correspondence between the HSE and the Department, the subject of media debate and so on. I do not believe it is our ethos. It is certainly not what I am trying to encourage in the Department and not what I see every day in my engagement with individuals. They are very professional public servants who are seeking to operate in a way that is accountable; therefore, I would be disappointed if it was the reality.