Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is not a terribly complicated question. I understand the restrictions on Mr. O'Brien, who is not, after all, responsible for running St. Vincent's University Hospital. However, the State is funding that institution. In the simplest terms, I am seeking to discover whether the post of chief executive of the university hospital is a full-time one that is paid for by the taxpayer. If the answer is in the affirmative, then is the person who holds that position doing another job - namely, that of group chief executive - by means of which he also has responsibility for the private hospital? If the same individual has responsibility for a group which includes both the private and public hospitals, then will our guests indicate who is looking out for the interests of the taxpayer and the public health service? That is a question which Mr. Jermyn might answer.

My final question is for Dr. Smith and it relates to two other issues. On the previous occasion we discussed the National Maternity Hospital. A very helpful graph, which defines people's public and private salaries, has been produced. On this graph, private salaries are also subdivided into different boxes. One of the boxes refers to an externally-funded allowance, while the other refers to an externally-funded salary. What is the difference?