John Crown (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am grateful for the attention the Minister of State and the Minister will give this matter. I am reassured by the personal attention of the Minister of State and therefore wish to raise some specific questions. Nurses are troubled by the board's lack of transparency. I do not refer to vagueness or waffle in terms of transparency; there are specific concerns. How much is being spent on external consultants? What is the hourly rate? How much is being spent on public relations and legal fees? The professional competence assurance scheme is a statutory duty of the board that was set up by legislation three years ago but it still has not been implemented. This is becoming embarrassing.

Nurses believe the board does two things: it takes nurses' money and it disciplines them. Nurses need to see something in return for this money.