Mr. Liam Woods:

There is a continuously strong culture of compliance. We understand it as a continuous endeavour. In some ways, as I said earlier, the increased demand for procurement service is an indication to us of that. It is an area in which we need to be constantly vigilant.

In response to Deputy Ó Caoláin's comments about timescales and the nature of the investigation, we have been in dialogue with the Garda Síochána and will be again. We have offered to make ourselves available for that purpose. We would be keen that the investigations are concluded. On the observations the Deputy made, this is a matter for the Garda and I am not in a position to comment on its operations. He referred to the lack of awareness of the allegation at St. Vincent's Private Hospital. It came as a surprise to me that it was not aware of the nature of the allegation through the investigation.