Mr. Fred Barry:

I have had a couple of conversations with the Minister for Health. In the course of those, we have discussed the fact that some of the board members are likely to be resigning over the next few months. If the Minister wishes to make new appointments, the opportunity will be there in the context of the numbers set out in the statutory basis relating to the board. It is a matter for the Minister as to whether he decides to make direct appointments to the board or to go through the Public Appointments Service. I have no doubt that, when the time comes, I will be offering my view and the board's view on where we need strengthening of the board given the stage of the project. We are looking at the construction now and the commissioning phase at the other end. In the normal course of events I expect I will be giving more input into that.