Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We were meant to have the HSE before the committee before the summer break to discuss procurement, but it appears that will not now happen. In that context, it is worth highlighting that Beaumont appeared to lay the blame squarely on the shoulders of the HSE, stating that, aside from the remit to provide clinical care, there has historically been an "absence of an effective centralised purchasing model managed by the HSE". That is a direct quote. Assuming that the HSE visit will now take place sometime in the autumn, it would be useful if we could clarify with Beaumont whether that absence is indeed historical, whether it has been addressed in full by health business services, HBS, or whether it considers the issue ongoing. It would be useful also if we could ask the other voluntary hospitals to present a similar submission to get a broader overview ahead of that engagement with the HSE.