Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 22 October 2015

Public Accounts Committee

Health Service Executive Financial Statements 2014
2014 Annual Report and Appropriation Accounts of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Vote 39: Health Service Executive
Chapter 19: Compliance with Prompt Payment Legislation in the Health Sector
Chapter 20: Management of Private Patient Income in the Health Sector
Chapter 21: Control over the Supply of High-Tech Drugs and Medicines

10:00 am

Photo of Seán FlemingSeán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Mr. O'Brien is the chairman of that group. How does his work fit when some of his regional managers announce unilaterally, without consultation with local GPs, that they will close accident and emergency units from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m in Portlaoise? That had to be stopped. Why does Mr. O'Brien allow his people to make these statements when essentially they have to be put aside and forgotten about and a consultation process started? It adds to the lack of confidence in the accident and emergency departments on which Mr. O'Brien is now chairing a task force.