Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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No, it was from the Secretary General of the Department. All the communication is through the Accounting Officer. As is normal, the Accounting Officer decides whom he or she brings to the meeting. We have never refused to accept a witness that an Accounting Officer wanted to bring. There is respect on both sides. If an Accounting Officer brings in witnesses we respect those witnesses but we also expect respect whereby if we ask for someone specifically that person will come to the meeting. I have considered the matter and the appropriate time for Mr. Quinn to be here is as a member of the board of directors of the paediatric hospital. That is my opening observation.