Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I recognise Mr. Lemass's acknowledgement that more engagement needs to take place. When was the last formal engagement between the Department and the AHB sector on the classification issue? Are we actually trying to deal with this? Does the Department want this to be resolved? Does it see this as a problem? The national development plan was mentioned on a couple of occasions. Is it not the case that reclassification to on-balance-sheet status effectively suits the policy direction of the Department? If that is the case, it is a valid position, though not one I agree with.