Mr. Liam Woods:

We are looking at options. Ms Fitzgerald has told me that we have adopted this approach in the orthopaedic sector since mid-2016. Orthopaedic services have been provided in one of the Dublin hospitals where such an opportunity arose. We would be very open to the south-south west group bringing such proposals to us. I understand such a proposal is being prepared and we will get to look at it. I expect that there will be a strong clinical input into that and that it will cover Kerry, Clonmel and Waterford. I am looking for the group to give us a group response to what it can do. We would be well disposed to ideas that make the best use of the resources we currently have and provide continuity of care and a safe service, subject to contractual conditions we may have to work our way through. The only remaining question would relate to what resources are available to do what this year.