Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Reid will be aware that the report states, “The programming of expenditure under the Health Vote was another priority of Future Health and aligning the programmes of Vote 38 with the HSE’s internal allocations would make the relationship between what the Oireachtas approves and what is spent on the ground more direct.” The key words there are “what the Oireachtas approves”. We are elected by the people and we approve the expenditure, and the HSE spends the money and has that relationship with the Department of Health and the line Minister of the day. Ultimately, there is an accountability mechanism here. The Comptroller and Auditor General holds a constitutional position. If he is making reference in his opening remarks to that specific report, that report has to be taken seriously by the HSE. It is important. Let us not make light of it. It is a vital transparency mechanism.