Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today called on the Taoiseach to correct the Dáil record relating to the actions and duties of the senior civil servant on the board of the National Children’s Hospital.
“Now either the official did what he was supposed to do and alerted the Minister or he didn’t. If he didn’t adhere to the circular that is a serious matter.”
Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today called on the Taoiseach to correct the Dáil record relating to the actions and duties of the senior civil servant on the board of the National Children’s Hospital.
Speaking during Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil, Deputy Shortall raised questions about the senior official from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform who is on the board overseeing the planned new hospital in his capacity as the head of the Office of Government Procurement.
Deputy Shortall said:
“On Tuesday of last week, when asked if the head of the OGP alerted Minister Donohoe to the escalating cost over-runs at the NCH, the Taoiseach replied:
‘If somebody is on a board, his or her fiduciary and legal responsibilities are to that board and the correct line of accountability is from the chairman of that board to the line Minister, not individual board members acting on their own part.’
“We now know that the statement was not true regarding the responsibilities of the head of the OGP in respect of his role on the Hospital Development Board. It has since been established that these constraints apply to company directors only.
“The Taoiseach needs to correct the record of the house as what he said was simply untrue and misleading. We know that in respect of civils servants who are board members of non-commercial state bodies, Circular 12/2010 applies and is very clear:
Where there is a significant public policy issue at stake or a disagreement within the Board on a major public policy issue, the civil servant should request the Chairman to notify the relevant Minister or, failing that, notify the Minister himself/herself.
Under protocol the Minister must be notified without delay where:
- There are serious weaknesses in controls that have not been addressed despite being drawn to the attention of the Board or the Chairperson;
- There is a significant strategic or reputational risk to the State body that is not being addressed;
“Last evening, I asked Minister Paschal Donohoe to confirm that this individual was not subject to company law on disclosure and he confirmed that Circular 12/2010 applied.
Minister Donohoe said:
“According to the circular, which the head of the OGP was subject to, it was his role to ensure that the parent Department responsible for the project was being informed of what was happening and that was happening”
He went on to say: “At the appropriate point, the Minister for Health became aware of it. He briefed me on it and we took action from there.”
“Now either the official did what he was supposed to do and alerted the Minister or he didn’t. If he didn’t adhere to the circular that is a serious matter.
“If he did, the Minister was informed of the escalating cost issues and failed to respond appropriately. So can we have clarity on these important matters.”
ENDS
14th February 2019