Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It will not surprise the Deputy to hear that I disagree entirely with her representation of this meeting. I will state again clearly that the first I was aware, and the first the finance officials who prepare the documentation were aware, of an invite to appear before this committee was Thursday. That is not my view; that is just a fact. There may be more to it in terms of other conversations going on. I disagree entirely with the Deputy's representation that questions are not being answered. We have been here now for two and a half hours and every effort is being made to answer questions across a wide variety of issues. I acknowledge what the Deputy stated but I disagree entirely with it.

With regard to the recognition payment, to be clear, I have not asked for any returns. The HSE has written to the section 39 organisations and private providers with self-assessments asking them to please fill them in.