Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not think the letters are explosive. The letters show people working extraordinarily hard in real time. I said on a Saturday at a press conference that there is, of course, tension. I have been Minister for Health for four years and Deputy Kelly has been in Cabinet. When has there never been back and forth between officials working their backsides off to try to save people's lives in a global pandemic? However, what have they done is to have achieved their target.

The letters should not be selectively quoted from because all of the letters are published. There are letters where the chairman of the HSE writes to the Secretary General conveying his admiration for the extraordinary work that is being accomplished, and it is stated that it is reassuring to know that we are approaching this crucial endeavour with mutual understanding. I think the process is better as a result of the engagement of the HSE and the Department on process, but it is a matter of process. I am very satisfied that NPHET is working extremely well with the HSE. I do not think we have ever had better leadership of the health service than we have with Paul Reid and Ciarán Devane chairing the board. If there is any further documentation I can publish, of course we will. I understand the CEO, the CMO and the Secretary General will appear before the Covid committee in this Chamber on Tuesday.

See this speech in context