Irish Examiner View: Hard to see Robert Watt's grounds for arrogance

It is hard to believe that someone in charge of the Department of Health would offer “it slipped our minds” as a credible explanation for any omission.

Secretary general of the Department of Health, Robert Watt, arriving at Leinster House. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos

Robert Watt, secretary general of the Department of Health, attended the Oireachtas finance committee this week.

This is par for the course for secretaries general, who are often asked to clarify matters for TDs and senators — but Mr Watt’s performance was described by committee chairman John McGuinness as “arrogantly dismissive”, one of the more candid descriptions of a senior civil servant to be found in the records of Leinster House.