Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The reason I sought clarity was because Deputy Louise O'Reilly explicitly asked whether clinicians were involved. She was told "No" by the witnesses. The Minister at the time not only said that clinicians were involved but that the scheme was clinically-led and then went on to essentially identify the clinicians who were involved. I have sat through weeks of misinformation being put into the public realm, which has had a damaging effect and eroded confidence in the service. I hear what has Mr. Naughton is saying. In my non-qualified opinion, the scientists should have been involved. Let me outline why I asked about the clinicians. I fear that the public will, based on answers given to the committee, say that they did not even bring doctors in.