Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

-----obligations under the legislation that is applicable and under the circular that dates back to 2010.

Our time is limited. At the previous meeting, I asked who was protecting the public purse and various colleagues, notably Deputy Jonathan O'Brien, took up the issue, which was very helpful. The chairperson of the board did not seem to know who on the board was protecting the public purse or representing the ordinary person. It subsequently emerged from, I think, the Department of Health that the gentleman who was named was the nominee on the board but that was not clear. I cannot remember what answer was given about his reporting duties. The circular has provided some clarification that has particular significance for this board. It also has a wider significance in terms of appointments to various boards generally and who protecting the public purse and acts as the voice for the public. There is the specific issue of the hospital board and then generally. This is just the beginning in clarifying where accountability lies. The 2010 circular, which was issued eight years ago, refers to contributing to greater accountability in non-commercial State bodies. Everything set out in the circular was good but it did not happen. That is my comment on the matter. I welcome this as the first step.