Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

I raised this issue previously in another question. There are conflicts between what is being said in the House and what is contained in e-mails from special advisers in the Minister's Department. Without giving names and specifics, e-mails have been sent from the Minister's advisers "with the full authority of the Minister". The advisers either have the full authority of the Minister or they do not. They are circumventing the chain of command and now making recommendations to the HSE with the full authority of the Minister. However, the Minister comes to the House, quotes the Act and claims that they do not have that full authority. Clearly, the Minister's special advisers are acting outside their remit when they can send e-mails to Ms Laverne McGuinness, Mr. Pat Healy and the HSE stating they are acting with the full authority of the Minister.

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