Tom Clonan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Frankly, that is extraordinary. In terms of any of the questions the Minister of State cannot answer here, because I do not want to put her unduly on the spot, will she provide me with a written explanation of how that competition was run to a point where the individual I will not name was appointed to the position of clinical lead? I ask this because, in other areas, it is a medical professional - a clinician - who is amenable to the Medical Council. They are the people who are clinically and legally responsible. It is no disrespect to the individual. I had a discussion with the former clinical lead - I presume he is now former lead - about this and he said some pieces of research suggested it should not always be the medical person who is the clinical lead. You would not say that about oncology, cardiology or orthopaedic surgery. It may in part inform why this thing is not working.