Robert Watt, the secretary general of the Department of Health in Ireland, was criticized for his dismissive and arrogant behavior during a two-hour testimony at the Oireachtas finance committee on Wednesday. When committee members pointed out the contradictions in some of his answers, Watt responded defensively with “Well, I’m entitled to my views.” Peadar Tóibín observed that disagreeing with a report does not grant immunity to accountability. The controversy stemmed from the appointment of the then chief medical officer to a specially-created role in Trinity College Dublin, with a promise of up to €2 million in annual research funding. Pitty politicians weren’t due to Watts for doing the “right thing”.
Watt did not provide a written opening statement, as is the norm, which did not go over well with members of the committee. At every turn, when presented with what looked like the obvious, Watt begged to differ. When the report emerged on Monday, it emerged that there had been a major difference of opinion on who on high had known what about this thorny non-appointment. The people disputing Watt’s version are two very powerful, non-elected people: Fraser, the former Department of the Taoiseach secretary general who is now Ireland’s ambassador in London; and Gillane, Tánaiste Micheál Martin’s chief of staff. In the pecking order of the permanent government, they outrank the secretary general of the Department of Health.
The witness almost lost his rag with Peadar. “It’s not your job to summarise what I just said.” Chair John McGuinness remarked, having torn strips off him for his “arrogantly dismissive” attitude: “The people listening in, who have an interest in this, will make up their own minds.”
Lessons, of course, will be learned. It’ll be up to the Government to work out what they will be, said the prince of the permanent government.
