Mr. Barry O'Brien:

It would be important to stress reference has been made to our internal audit on page 47 with regard to senior management remuneration. The most important line is the first line, which refers to one non-acute agency informing internal audit. The report states the exact information the CRC gave to internal audit. At the previous hearing into this matter, my colleague, Dr. Geraldine Smith, stated:

The purpose of the audit was to ascertain the environment. We were trying to develop a picture. What is clear from the audit report is that there was much speculation over the years about whether allowances were being paid privately, etc. The purpose of the audit was to take a snapshot, particularly of the private element, which had not been done previously.

It is in this context that the direct reference was made to our internal audit report, but this is a reflection on exactly what the CRC told our internal auditor.