Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I also concur with the Minister's last sentence. I have expressed that sentiment on a number of occasions in media interviews. It is hugely important and we need to take on board concerns expressed by a number of charitable organisations, including by a spokesperson for Bothar on the national airwaves during the week, which indicates the extent of the problem at this point in time.

Regarding the engagement at the Committee of Public Accounts yesterday, the situation exposed by Mr. Kiely, formerly the chief executive officer of the Central Remedial Clinic, and an arrangement with the Mater Hospital in regard to a payment to facilitate pension arrangements, is the Minister in a position to comment on the transfer of funds of the order of €660,000 per annum from the Central Remedial Clinic to the Mater Hospital to facilitate an arrangement? I understand that a contradictory position is taken by the Mater Hospital in today's media but I am not privy to the facts and full truth of this. Can the Minister or his officials shed light on this arrangement?