Mr. Michael Tutty:

We are expecting overruns in health spending this year. The profiles of expenditure over the year do not show much of an excess at the moment. However, the Department is talking about an excess. The profiles show a very small year-on-year increase in expenditure in the last quarter, which is most unusual. From what we have seen in the past, expenditure goes up significantly in the last quarter rather than going down as a percentage increase. We are certainly worried that there will be a significant overrun there. We do not have any particular inside information but we know that within the system there is already talk of €150 million or so. Given the way those profiles are set out, there is a lot of scope for a further overrun later in the year.