Mr. Tony O'Brien:

As the places under the graduate nurse programme and the allied health professional internship programme are outside the employment control framework, there is no reason or incentive for us to offset one against the other. Not only is there no plan but there is no reason for us to pursue one.

In regard to the discussion on St. Vincent's University Hospital, I am conscious of the Chair's directions on Standing Orders and I am doubly conscious that currently my nominee and Corkonian cousin, Mr. Barry O'Brien, is before the Committee of Public Accounts to discuss the issues arising.