Professor Noel Whelan:

I hope it will be quickly indeed. We have pencilled in, hopefully, 31 March 2014 with the HSE to settle everything and to have everything clear. I will outline the issue on the part of those of us on the St. Vincent's side of the fence. The HSE said to us on 5 November, legitimately - we agree with it fully - that to avoid any confusion at that stage it was important that the hospital group understood that the HSE was not instructing the group to breach any individual contracts of employment. It would be great if we could press a magic button and say that it is settled, but individuals have rights in this democratic society and we are moving towards that. Deputy McDonald asked me for a timeline. I dearly hope - we all hope - that we will aim for 31 March 2014.