Mattie McGrath: Blasts Health Dept for Paying Dr Houlihan at Trinity
Mattie McGrath criticised the Department of Health for paying former Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Houlihan's €187,000 salary while he takes a role at Trinity College and for also funding his replacement. He described the arrangement as double-jobbing and a scandalous waste of public money, saying it shows a two- or three-tier society.
Allegation of paid secondment
McGrath said the Department of Health will continue to pay Dr Tony Houlihan's €187,000 salary while he "dips his toe in academia" at Trinity College and that the department will also have to pay his replacement, which he called an example of wasteful public expenditure.
Concerns about fairness and treatment delays
He contrasted the payment with long waits for treatments, citing cancer care and orthodontics by way of example, and said the public are being taken for "patsies" while officials receive preferential treatment and reward.
Accusations of protection and cronyism
McGrath accused those involved of protecting "your friend" and referenced Augusta Luma in making the case that people are being covered up for; he characterised the pattern as evidence of a two-tier or three-tier society.
Denial of personal involvement
He said he was not familiar with the arrangements between the Department of Health and Trinity College and denied any role in creating or seconding the post, asking that any personalisation of the issue between himself and Dr Houlihan be withdrawn.
Call for respect and transparency
McGrath urged an end to double-jobbing and called for respect for "decent people," demanding transparency and an end to what he labelled scandalous waste of money. He addressed Deputy Catherine Connolly in his closing remarks.
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This morning we learned that the Department of Health will pay former Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Houlihan's 187,000 euro salary while he dips his toe in academia in Trinity College. The Department of Health will also have to pay his replacement. If this is not evidence, Teachta, I have a cosy can't tell, I have a two-tier or a three-tier society where people are hard-pressed to try and survive. And you can do this for Dr Houlihan, your friend, all the way back to Augusta Luma, you're covered up each other and this is his reward. He can go into Trinity College and the Department of Health pays his money, but he'll wait for all kinds of treatments, cancer, orthodontics, you name it, biannobifidae, everything. And this kind of money and pay a replacement as well. You're taking the public for right patsies, that's one thing they're not. We have decent people, show them some respect and stop this double-jobbing and scandalous waste of money. I'm not familiar with the arrangements between the Department of Health and the Department of Trinity. and was not involved in one way or the other in terms of the decision, it seems, by the Department of Health to create this post and second the CMO to it in terms of public health and pandemic preparedness. That's my understanding, apparently, in terms of from the perspective of the Department of Health. But I think your personalisation of it, between myself and Dr Hulland, should be withdrawn. I have no hand act or part in it. Please, please, please, please, please, please, Deputy Catherine Connolly.
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