Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is interesting because I want to be careful here. We had a detailed discussion with the Mater hospital earlier which was very useful. I do not want anybody to be worried about their pension. I fully understand that it is effectively underwritten by the taxpayer. I do not know whether you can shed any light on my query. I took St. Vincent’s at its word that this adverse opinion was nothing to be worried about, that it does not have to include the pension issue in its accounts, which is fine. However, when I studied some other section 38 organisations, such as Beaumont Hospital and the Mater they did not have adverse opinions.

From a taxpayer’s point of view, the auditor says that these accounts do not provide a true and fair view. Those are pretty much the words. I understand the technical reason for the opinion but presumably Beaumont and the Mater – please do correct me if I am wrong – would have a similar exemption. I am not sure how their directors managed to produce accounts on time with no adverse opinion.