Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I thank the Minister for taking questions. I have three questions to put to her, the first of which was raised by Senator Bacik who has been unavoidably detained. She would like clarification on the recruitment freeze. That issue was discussed by a number of our people and we would like to know the current position in that regard. It is having a clear impact and we believe we are being misled, in a sense. We got a clear impression it would not impact at the coalface but that appears to be the case.

My second question is similar to one asked by Senator O'Malley. I am unclear about the current blocks in the debate on the consultants' contracts. I will accept it if that information is confidential but there has been so much discussion back and forth it would be useful if we were to know that.

The third question, which I raised earlier, is complex and crucial in terms of buying in to where we are heading, so to speak. It concerns the various issues we raised, including the monitoring committee the Minister is chairing, key performance indicators, targets — an issue raised by Senator Fitzgerald — objectives and the assessment process. I do not want to do the work of a remuneration committee or whatever but if the Minister could share with us information on those issues, in six months' time we would be able to ask what has been done, have we fallen behind, are we ahead or what is the position.

Also, is there an audit committee in every hospital? Is there a general audit risk register and is that a confidential document? If we knew that, it would save us having to ask many questions. If I had access to that information I could find out immediately who is responsible for dirt in a hospital.