Mr. Tony O'Brien:

I did not ask that question but I shall provide it to the Deputy. It relates to a small allowance on top of the appropriate salary in respect of tutoring activities. We will get the information for the Deputy.

Ultimately, and this is where we do get into a difficult situation, the sanction would have to relate to our continued ability to fund the hospital at the present level, which would affect both revenue and capital. Of particular concern is that this is one of the hospitals assigned to the Ireland East Hospitals Group which includes other hospitals like the Mater, from Wexford through to Navan. Unless the governance on this campus is straightened out it is going to have an adverse impact on the ability of that group to be formed.

At the present time, I am holding on any approvals, or even considerations of approvals, for category "C" consultants. It may be that we will not be able to approve other types of consultants as those come up. We will have to consider all the issues of funding. At the present time, whatever their overall financial position, I can say categorically that unless this is straightened out, whatever deficit they may have, they will not get one cent above the amount of money that is specified for that hospital this year. Beyond that, I am not yet certain what I will do but it is a very serious situation.