Mr. Michael Cullen:

The investigation is still at a relatively early stage, but the indications so far do not show that we have paid in excess of what we should for these instruments and for capital equipment and supplies that were purchased from the company in question. We have been doing an international comparison with the prices of these products in other countries and, so far - and this is literally right up to date - there is no indication that we have been overpaying. I am unable to give the Deputy more information than that at this stage. All I can say is that I hope the investigation will be able to quantify the loss, if any, to the hospital through this practice.