Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This is the committee's second meeting on cost overruns at the new national children's hospital. The purpose of the meeting is to examine in detail the reasons for the huge projected cost overruns at the children's hospital and the impact these increased costs will have on other capital projects in the health sector. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Colm Desmond, Ms Tracey Conroy, Ms Aonraid Dunne, and Ms Fionnuala Duffy from the Department of Health, and Mr. Dean Sullivan, Mr. Jim Curran and Mr. John Pollock who are representing the HSE.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Any opening statements that have been made to the committee may be published on its website after the meeting.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Before we begin, the committee also invited the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to attend the meeting. The members are quite disappointed that the Department declined the offer and the committee feels it has been treated with disrespect in this regard. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform felt it was neither necessary nor appropriate to attend this meeting or to attend any other sectoral committee meetings. The Joint Committee on Health has only asked the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to attend it on two occasions, this being the second, and on both occasions the Department has declined. We believe that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has had to be consulted in relation to the cost overrun for the hospital and also the negative knock-on effects that this will have. It will have to provide €50 million extra capital funding for 2019 and find €220 million extra capital funding in 2020 to 2022, inclusive. Therefore, we think it has a responsibility to explain to the committee how this will be provided. The committee also believes that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has responsibility in relation to procurement, which is the central issue to the cost over-run.

I now ask Mr. Colm Desmond to make his opening statement.