There has been calls for greater accountability within Ireland’s health service following recent comments by the HSE’s chief executive.

Speaking on The Anton Savage Show with Seán Defoe, contributors discussed Bernard Gloster’s call for stronger powers to dismiss staff, after an interview featured on the front page of the Sunday Independent.

The proposal sparked a wider conversation about accountability in Ireland’s public services, particularly within the health system, and whether current disciplinary processes are fit for purpose.

Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan said public frustration often comes from the absence of consequences when serious failures occur.

“One of the things that frustrates a lot of people in Ireland is that when a scandal breaks, nobody seems to ever be held to account,” she said.

“There’s always an inquiry or review. Lessons will be learned and we’ll all move on.”

Boylan stressed that accountability should not be confused with blame.

“It’s not about having a witch hunt, but there just doesn’t seem to be that level of accountability,” she said, noting that in other countries leaders often “step down and say, ‘I got it wrong."

However, she warned that any reform must also protect workers’ rights.

“There has to be greater accountability for everybody in public life, but also not go too far where it’s too easy to fire people,” she said.

“There has to be protections there from a worker’s rights perspective.”

Figures discussed on the programme showed that since 2020, 38 HSE staff have been dismissed, with 17 of those decisions later overturned on appeal.

HSE CEO Bernard Gloster, © PA Media

John Cunningham, Market Insights Director for BAM Ireland, said this highlighted flaws in the process rather than the principle of accountability.

“The 17 that were overturned and it wasn’t that there wasn’t a problem,” he said.

“It was an issue with the process. They got the process wrong.”

Cunningham argued that more transparent management systems are needed, rather than new legislation.

“The private sector has grappled with putting in processes with regard to managing people,” he said.

“It’s about authority, accountability and responsibility.”

He added that stronger systems would benefit high-performing staff as well.

“The really good civil servants can be rewarded better,” he said.

“How can anybody run an organisation if there’s an inability to deal with problem individuals?”

Paul Hayes, founder of Beachhut PR, pointed to Ireland’s strong health outcomes despite ongoing pressures.

“We have the best longevity in Europe,” he said.

“That is kind of the outcome of a good health system.”

But he acknowledged that this is often undermined by visible strain.

“You get the queues, you get the trolleys,” he said.

“The people whose work practices can be the problem are also the ones saving our lives.”

Boylan concluded by warning listeners against complacency.

“Putting aside that we might be living longer, there are huge problems with our health service and getting access to treatment,” she said.

“It’s by no means perfect.”