Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

This amendment proposes to delete the provision that the CEO of the HSA shall not question or have an opinion on the merits of any Government policy when appearing before an Oireachtas committee. It is not proposed to accept this amendment. As Members are aware, the Minister has overall political responsibility for the operation of the authority. Clearly, the amendment, if accepted, could place the CEO in an invidious position. It only refers to policy matters. It is quite in order for the CEO, or indeed the board, to comment on the issue of resources or other matters. It is quite a narrow provision in section 49(2) relating to policy and objectives of such policy, not to resources and related matters.

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