Maternity report procurement accountability
Senators support an amendment seeking the Health Minister’s attendance to explain procurement of the maternity-services report, possible breaches of guidelines, payment and departmental awareness. They also criticise the Minister’s previous response and demand transparency.
Yes, I am. Will you read it because I only came into the Chamber when Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh was on his feet?
Comment on this
An amendment has been proposed and seconded calling on the Minister for Health to come to the House to discuss that subject.
Comment on this
I support the amendment. The Minister created absolute confusion yesterday. A report has been published which the Minister tried to rubbish by accusing the HSE of breaching procurement guidelines. Answers need to be given by the Minister regarding his knowledge of that breach, the person or authority responsible for approving the commissioning of the report, whether the HSE has actually paid for that report yet and whether the Secretary General of the Department or the Minister's office was aware of the report. The Minister must also address his failure yesterday to give a concrete commitment to the five maternity units in the five hospitals which were the subject of debate here yesterday. He has an obligation to clear up the confusion he created.