Mr. David Moloney:

The data that will become available will be very welcome. Usage data is probably the firmest way of building up a picture of what one pays for something and it is one approach to take. The approach taken since 1973 has been to negotiate the figure and the Government imposed a cap on that three years ago. Looking at the broad facts, the numbers eligible to avail of that scheme have increased quite dramatically and what the scheme users are eligible for has also increased dramatically over the years. The balance of probability may well be that a per-unit charge would cost more than the current overall provision but as the Chairman has said, in the absence of the full facts, which will become available, we do not know for sure.