Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There have been reports today of an internal HSE audit into the awarding of contracts to a private company by the Saolta health group. It does not make for very good reading. It suggests a potential conflict of interest on the part of the former CEO, Mr. Bill Maher, who has now gone. At this juncture, the chairman at the Saolta group is operating on an acting basis. The Minister needs to appoint a chairman immediately to deal with this situation, which gives rise to considerable concern, particularly in view of the fact that not so long ago the then chairman, Mr. Noel Daly, resigned in similar circumstances. This is not the first time the Saolta group has been rocked by this type of situation. The current thinking is that businessmen should head up all sorts of public authorities such as Saolta and other Government agencies. With the old health boards presided over by politicians, this sort of conflict of interest did not arise and it was not an issue that came to the fore. We may need to reconsider what politicians can or cannot do. I ask that the Minister move immediately to appoint a formal chairman as the person there at present is filling the role on an acting basis.