Kate O'Connell (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I know. I find it unsatisfactory that somebody was appointed to a board based on his competency in procurement and it was not until about a year ago that it seems to have come to the fore. This was the first moment that it might have dawned on somebody with this competency that this might be a big problem. The information feed to the HSE and the Department of Health is fine but it seems rather strange to me that Mr. Quinn may not have mentioned this to Mr. Watt at his elevenses on a Monday morning. Perhaps that is the way it is. We will take Mr. Quinn at his word. The equipment issue is important for the meeting. A couple of years ago, I asked Mr. Pollock about the methods for procurement of equipment for the hospital. I was told that the final decision on buying or leasing of equipment had not been made when I asked the question at the end of January. It looks like the equipment will be bought now and not procured through a lease management solution.

Can the delegates throw light on who costed this matter, how sustainable it is and how it relates to the figures of almost €90 million - €87.9 million - for equipping in the 2018 costs? Does that cost remain at €87.9 million? If things have not yet been decided, how do we know that is the real figure? For example, it may not have been decided whether to lease some equipment. I am aware from a report in the media that several MRI machines have been purchased. According to the report, a timeline was not met and there was some sort of timing issue whereby the imaging machines had to be bought. It seems a little uncontrolled. How can the figure of €87.9 million be put forward if the board does not know whether the equipment will be bought or leased or from where it will be sourced?