Dr. Ambrose McLoughlin:

It will be difficult to find a solution. I am being open and direct. We will work with a number of experts; our review team will work very diligently. In due course we are mandated to come back to the Government on this matter, so I am precluded from going into too much detail. We expended a lot of energy trying to keep things as they were. I want everybody to understand that. We sought to keep the arrangements that had been in place, sought legal advice and sought many kinds of solutions but were not in a position to do it. Now we have to proceed to review matters and ensure, with the best expertise we can draw on, to find a solution.

I will not be flippant here in regard to whether we will need more money. If the committee recommends that we should have access to more resources we will consider that, and if that is the way we have to go, we will bring the recommendation to the appropriate sources in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and, through our Minister, to the Government. However, we must be clear that we are in an extraordinarily difficult economic time within the health system. We are obliged to live within the resources, and the overall envelope of money is set by the Government and the Oireachtas. We will be anxious to ensure we live within the requirements of good governance. The issues here are extremely complex, if the Senator will believe me. It is an extraordinarily difficult situation to be in but the position is that we must comply with the equality legislation and must do what is prudent and proper, no matter how difficult the situation. We will do everything we can to assist the clients affected and will listen very carefully. As Secretary General, I will personally make myself available to meet the review group and will assist them in every way we can with whatever expertise is necessary.