Robert Watt is to face questions at a Dáil committee this afternoon, following criticism of the botched appointment of Dr Tony Holohan to an academic post at Trinity College Dublin. 

A report by independent director Maura Quinn was critical of several aspects of the failed appointment, including the likelihood that Mr Watt did not follow the correct procedures when appointing Dr Holohan. 

The Secretary General of the Department of Health will be questioned about this report by the Committee on Finance for Public Expenditure and Reform.  

Ahead of the hearing, Committee Chair and Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness told Newstalk Breakfast Mr Watt initially refused to meet the committee. 

Mr McGuinness said Mr Watt only agreed to be questioned when the Committee received “compelibility powers”.  

“We have this report, so we will deal with this report, and put the questions directly to Mr Watt,” he said.  

Mr McGuinness said "it is clearly the case that a decision was made at the highest level within the Department [of Health] to enter into an agreement that would cost the taxpayer 2 million euro per year over 10 years”.  

“There's now a dispute between senior officials as to who knew what and when. And I'm hoping that today the committee will unravel all of this.” 

Bypassed processes 

Mr McGuinness said there are further questions to ask Mr Watt – but he “clearly” did not follow the correct procedures in the appointment of Dr Holohan.  

He said: “It's quite clear in the report that Mr Watt bypassed all of these processes, and the decision seems to have been made between a very small group of people which is not the way to do business.” 

The Research Board that appoints secondments such as the proposed post in Trinity College Dublin typically have a “competitive process” that did not exist in this instance.  

“It’s not within his remit to reach an agreement with one individual, and to put a price tag on it of 2 million,” he said. “Neither is it in his remit to act on behalf of the heads of the Research Board where this funding was to come from.” 

'No discussion'

Mr McGuinness said it is “clear” that there were “no discussions between [Mr Watt] and the Research Board”.  

“It's very important in terms of the management of the state, that we know just exactly the extent of the remit and the powers of a secretary general.” 

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