Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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We have three specific items on the agenda today. They are the only items to be discussed. There are myriad other HSE items which we will deal with another day. However, before Mr. O'Brien makes his opening statement, I wish to make one comment to him regarding one of his previous appearances at the Committee of Public Accounts in February 2016, when we were discussing the Grace case. On that day, I understand, he told the committee that the people who in 1996 overturned the decision to remove Grace were no longer State employees. He went on to say, in respect of the Conal Devine report:

From the outset of its commencement, there was close liaison with An Garda Síochána, and it was always understood and intended that the report would be published and available, whatever action may be necessary. However, since its conclusion in 2012 [that is, the report], it has not been possible to use it for that purpose, and that is why no disciplinary action has been proceeded with on foot of the Conal Devine report.

Media reports at the weekend indicate that the communication between the HSE and An Garda Síochána commenced three years later, in 2015. In view of the conflicting information in the public arena and what Mr. O'Brien stated at a previous Committee of Public Accounts meeting, I ask him to come back as urgently as possible, within seven days, to clarify the accuracy or otherwise of his statement to the previous Committee of Public Accounts and the reasons for, and the information he used to arrive at, his conclusions. We will not have a debate on the matter now. I am asking for a straight statement to correct the record. I will not let a debate take place now. I am not even asking Mr. O'Brien to give a reply now. I simply want the record of the Committee of Public Accounts corrected.