Clerk to the Committee:

A response has not been received. Dr. Harrold's letter raised a number of issues, some of which related to administration and would fall within the remit of this committee, for example, procurement. Those issues were forwarded to the HSE and St. Michael's House. The latter has responded and dealt with them, but the matter is outstanding with the HSE. The answer on the procurement issues is that everything was documented in the annual report and there was full disclosure of all issues relating to the supply of goods by a firm associated with a board member. This is my understanding of the matter and, to my mind, was the only issue relevant to us.

The issue of Dr. Harold's dismissal has been considered by the Employment Appeals Tribunal and is not a matter for the Committee of Public Account. The issues relating to the incident at Leas Cross was the subject of two fairly detailed senior counsel reports to the Department of Health and the HSE.