A Fianna Fail TD accused the Taoiseach of “deceiving the Dail” when he described the persecution of Robert Watt as a witch hunt.
John McGuinness said there is “no government appetite” for the truth about the failed appointment of Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan to a teaching post at Trinity College Dublin.
Mr. McGuinness, Chairman of the Oireachtas Public Finance Expenditure and Reform Committee, was highly critical of Micheal Martin, senior government ministers and civil servants for their handling of the appointment.
The committee is seeking powers to compel Mr Watt, secretary general of the Department of Health, to appear before the panel.
Watt has been accused of snubbing the Oireachtas committee over the appointment.
In a letter to the panel, he said he has addressed questions about the issue in the health committee and would not be answering any further questions.
McGuinness said: “It is unfortunate that the Taoiseach used the words ‘witch hunt’ because this committee, and I am sure it is the same for all other House committees, goes about their business.
“It’s about accountability, transparency, bringing the various witnesses, depending on the issue, before the committees, and seeking them out in a constructive way to get to the truth of the matter.”
He said the position taken by senior politicians and senior officials was “shocking”.
“The public is furious about what is happening. Not so much from Dr. Holohan, but with the continuation of the ministers, their comments, the senior officials and their comments, and in particular the misleading comment made to the Dail by the Taoiseach when he says ‘witch hunt’ when referring to what what should or should not happen.
“It would appear that there was no appetite from the government to get the truth of this matter.”
Mr. Martin has referred to the completion of an external review before proceeding with the matter.
“That contrasts sharply with the treatment of a minister who asked for due process but was fired. And if that’s not double standards, I don’t know what is,” McGuinness added.
“So therefore the committee has a mandate. You have to answer questions from the public in the context of the belief that exists, that there are senior politicians and civil servants who are ignoring due process, ignoring the Oireachtas committees and just doing whatever they want.
“Mr. Watt’s letter to the committee last night, as usual, is very busy. There are many things there, some irrelevant.
“He says that he answers questions about these issues in the health committee and ‘I don’t think it’s reasonable for me to be asked to attend a committee from another sector to answer questions about the same issues.’
“You are not asked to answer questions on the same topics. You are asked to address issues that are of public interest and concern to the people of Ireland.
“He is being requested by a parliamentary commission that assumes its task with responsibility, and he has been asked to appear to clarify things.
“This is not personal. I just have to do my job as president, and the attitude of the government ministers, the Taoiseach and senior officials has made it very difficult.
“I think it’s a shocking state of affairs that this committee has to sit down like this and work its way through all the nonsense and all the misinformation and spin to try to get to the truth.
“I hope that the Taoiseach and his officials reflect on what is said in this committee.”
The Taoiseach’s office has been contacted for comment.
Reference-www.breakingnews.ie