Ms Maureen Cronin:

The Senator asked whether we are the only group in this situation. In fact, even within the HSE, some categories of staff were paid based on the report. Consultant orthodontists were part of that report and they were paid. The outgoing chief executives were included in the report and were paid.

The Senator asked what help the committee can give us. We are an example of a small group against whom an injustice has been perpetrated by the processes or the individuals involved. It raises fundamental questions for me about the operation of government and governance when a decision made by the Government can be twisted and tangled and not implemented. That is a much bigger principle the committee may need to consider. We are just an example. Our situation has happened to come before the committee and our position is clear. There is a much bigger principle at play here that should be followed up by the committee, particularly as the Labour Court has also been ignored in this matter.