Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Professor Pollock for her presentation. I am keen to ask a question with regard to the difference between Scotland and England. Obviously, there is a shift in England towards privatisation. It does not seem to be the same in Scotland. Will Professor Pollock explain this by way of a difference in legislation or in terms of legal obligations? Is it simply the difference of choices made by the Minister?

My next question refers to the strong information systems referenced by Professor Pollock in her document. To what extent are these systems underpinned, named, financed and funded? Specifically, how is this done under the legislation?

My third question relates to accountability. Professor Pollock referred in her presentation to accountability by the Minister. Is it only to the parliament or is there some further level of accountability that is not necessarily obvious to us?