Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister should be complimented for initiating the study which unearthed this in the first place. It strikes at the heart of the culture in these organisations. I am confident that this is not the only organisation in this position. I am also sure that this Department is not the only Department in this position either. What has been unearthed here is symptomatic of what was probably going on with a nod and a wink type culture which existed primarily under the previous Government of which the previous speaker was also a keen supporter.

One of the issues I want the Minister to address is the governance in many of the organisations that have been referred to, particularly the sections 38 and 39 ones. I refer to the holding of AGMs, the allowing of persons to become members of them, the accountability of board members and the suitability of board members. Also, there is a need for public-interest board members who can articulate the public's concerns but, more importantly, to be the eyes and ears for the Department in how its funding allocation has been spent.

I would also like to see the publication of reports of audits that have been carried out. The assignment of auditors is also important. While I would agree that the Committee of Public Accounts has a role in the matter, the role of other Oireachtas committees also needs to be looked at because, as I said at the start, I do not believe the Department of Health is the only Department that will unearth issues of this nature. The Minister's Cabinet colleagues need to be encouraged to initiate investigations across all organisations that are in receipt of funding from their respective Departments because what has been unearthed in the Central Remedial Clinic is symptomatic of what was wrong with this country for the previous 14 years in the type of cronyism and nepotism that has destroyed the country.

Support needs to be given to the Minister for Health but, in addition, space needs to be given to ensure the investigation is proper.

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