Mr. Paul Reid:

I fully understand why the committee will ask about oversight. We are public organisations. I will reassure the Deputy about a few points. The HSE has a board that strongly holds it to account on all aspects of performance, change, reform, delivery of our corporate plan and delivery of Sláintecare. That is one strong goal of governance within the HSE, made up of individual experts. The Deputy mentioned the Oireachtas as another avenue. As Mr. Watt said, the regional health areas are independent bodies. I want to make a final point similar to Mr. Watt's. Regarding criticism or scrutiny, the model that we have provides ownership and accountability. As I said earlier, I have been involved in change and reform in the private sector and the not-for-profit sector, central Government, local government, and the health service. The only way I have seen it work effectively is when people who are going to manage or design the change are involved in it and accountable for it. I appreciate that this is a public body and needs oversight, but I think we have strong oversight.