There were heated exchanges yesterday between local TDs and the secretary general at the Department of Health over his role in the abandoned proposed secondment of former chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan to Trinity College Dublin.
Last April, controversy arose about the arrangement when it emerged that the post would be an open-ended secondment funded by the Department of Health via the Health Research Board.
In the end, Dr Holohan decided not to proceed with the move.
Robert Watt strongly rejected “most” of the findings of a report at an Oireachtas finance committee yesterday.
One row between Donegal Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty and Robert Watt centred on a letter of intent written by Mr Watt to Trinity College, outlining a package of €1million to €2million in research funding for the post:
John McGuinness, chair of the committee also interjected during the exchange:
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Sligo Leitrim Independent TD Marc MacSharry also grilled Mr Watt and concluding yesterday says the findings of the report should be acted upon:
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