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Department of Health secretary general Robert Watt has said it is not in the public interest for him to attend two Oireachtas committees examining the abandoned appointment of Dr Tony Holohan to Trinity College Dublin (TCD).
Mr Watt has appealed for committees to carry out their business “without unnecessary and distracting personal commentary”.
In a letter sent to the Oireachtas finance committee on Tuesday evening, the Mr Watt said that as a civil servant he takes his accountability responsibilities “very seriously” and has attended many sessions of Oireachtas committees.
There has been criticism of a decision by Mr Donnelly not to attend the finance committee, and to say his officials will also not attend.
“I have answered questions on these matters at the health committee and I do not believe it is reasonable for me to be asked to attend a different sectoral Committee to answer questions on the same issue,” he wrote.
He said it has been the practice for “some time now” that one committee should look at a particular issue “rather than duplicate examinations of issue”.
“I’m sure you would agree this is neither in the public interest, nor is it an efficient use of members or public servants’ time,” he wrote, advising that the Houses of Oireachtas should adjudicate if there is a dispute between committees over who pursues a topic.
“Whatever different views may exist, I hope that we can carry out our respective duties in a respectful and courteous manner. In this matter I have acted in good faith and would appeal to all concerned in the betterment of the public interest to address the issues that arise in a professional, factual and policy focused manner, without unnecessary and distracting personal commentary.”
Mr Watt also sent his report into the appointment of Dr Holohan, and a letter to TCD provost Dr Linda Doyle concerning the matter.