Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses and thank them for coming. I acknowledge the superb work of our healthcare staff and the gratitude we owe to them. Without a doubt, it was the right decision at the right time to take over the private hospitals. We have to be honest and fair and say that. However, as time progressed, it was clear that the full capacity of private hospitals was not required. The decision has been taken to terminate that contract but there is an acknowledgement that a new contract will be required if, unfortunately, another surge occurs, although we hope it does not. Who will be party to the negotiations for that contract? We heard deep disappointment this morning and indeed an acknowledgement that it would have made the situation less fraught if the consultants were also around the table with the private hospitals to address that. Will the consultants be party to those negotiations? What timeframe do the witnesses envisage to complete those negotiations? I acknowledge that it was terminated last Friday.