Mr. Brian McEnery:

I thank the Deputy. I am happy and have always been happy to put on the record, as I did at the HIQA meeting, how we will deal with conflicts of interest should they arise. I made that clear during the Public Appointments Service process and I have tried to ensure at every stage that it is clear that my professional role is financial adviser, including to the healthcare sector, of which nursing homes form a part, but that this does not conflict with my role of chairperson of HIQA because HIQA does not have a role in relation to financial affairs. The role of HIQA is in regard to other aspects, into which I do not have an input as board chairman.