Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 24 amends provisions relating to the CEO appearing before Oireachtas committees. The Bill had contained a standard provision, found in many Acts, that the CEO is not required to give an account before a committee of any matter relating to the general administration of the HSE that "has been, or may at any future time be," the subject of proceedings before a court or tribunal in the State. An amendment was made by the Dáil to remove these words.

Senators again raised this issue in the House, and I agreed in the Dáil to make the change. I was somewhat nervous of the potential consequences, but the Dáil was of the view that CEOs and committees would act responsibly in this regard.