Mr. Colm Desmond:

A number of the matters to which the Chairman referred are at different stages of development. The replacement of equipment in hospitals is part of what is called "general infrastructure", but is really equipment and upgrading. HSE colleagues can speak to that. It is an ongoing annual programme and is necessary, as the Chairman stated, to keep the health estate going, including its buildings and equipment. As to Limerick and Cork, we will certainly have to examine carefully what we can now manage going forward and that is a process that is under way. The elective hospital piece in the national development plan is tied to Sláintecare and the development of additional capacity. That is a process which requires a comprehensive and detailed examination from a policy perspective as to what is the appropriate location in each of the urban centres mentioned. It is about the existing service delivery in those areas that needs to be complemented or enhanced. That is slightly down the road in terms of development. The priority will be to manage the contracted projects and accommodate as much of the ongoing infrastructure and other equipment the Chairman mentioned.