Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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As the Chairman pointed out, the public is appalled at what has been revealed in this report and what has been in the media in recent days in regard to top-up payments in voluntary hospitals and in a range of State agencies which depend on the public purse for a significant amount of their resources. It paints a picture of a "because I'm worth it" sort of culture which was endemic in some of these organisations throughout the Celtic tiger years but it seems it has not gone away. Looking at the report, some of the reportage around it and some of the public commentary, some of the agencies involved have been playing a game of cat and mouse with the HSE and the Department of Health. It is appropriate we hold special meetings on this issue of serious public interest. I suggest we do so next week and not only should we invite the Department of Health and the HSE to appear before committee but we should also invite the CEOs of the voluntary hospitals and the chairs of the boards of management. One might ask why we should invite the chairs of the boards. The chairs of the boards and the boards themselves are responsible for setting pay policy in those hospitals and agencies. It is important to insist on their appearance before the committee.