Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy knows, we did have an open, competitive process. We had a significant number of applicants, all of whom were treated fairly and assessed on their own individual merits. We had a shortlisting process and an interview process. Independent people were appointed to the Top Level Appointments Committee and they, ultimately, arrived at a decision and made a recommendation.

This Government has ambition for our health service. We are serious about implementing Sláintecare. As the Deputy knows, we recently agreed terms with public health doctors to have a consultant-led public health function in our health service which is an important reform and statement of intent by this Government about the need to dramatically reform the way we do business. The health budget, at over €22 billion, provides the capacity not only to deal effectively with Covid, but also to bring about the reforms that are needed to significantly improve the service for the Irish people. That is very much what we are focused on and it is what the leadership of the Department of Health and the HSE will be concentrating on delivering on behalf of the Government and the Irish people.

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