Dr. Geraldine Smith:

Yes. The Deputy must bear in mind that we are constrained by our section 38 agreements. There was certainly engagement between the CRC and the HSE, as the CRC indicated to me. The CRC stated that senior management remuneration was the subject of a comprehensive review in 2009 involving the chairman, other board members of the CRC and senior officials of the HSE. At the time, it was agreed by the board of governors that a lesser amount be charged to the HSE and that the balance, for employment contractual reasons, would be directly funded by the CRC, the employer. It was also agreed that, when the posts concerned fell to be replaced through retirement or resignation, the salaries of the incoming replacements would be discussed and agreed with the HSE. This agreement took effect from 1 January 2009 and continued up to the CRC's statement in June 2013. The only changes that have affected the agreed rates since 2009 have been the salary reductions imposed on 1 January 2010.