Mr. Terry Casey:

In terms of the decision to outsource, the statement by the NCSS and the Minister at the time was that it was based on quality and turnaround times. We have spent a great deal of time talking about the fact that a number of the laboratories were accredited but there was an insufficient capacity within the service. Our issue at the time was that the Dr. Euphemia McGoogan report was not implemented. We were never told that we needed to sort this out, resolve our capacity problem or amalgamate laboratories. There was no engagement whatsoever. The rug was then suddenly pulled out from under us and the service was outsourced.