Mr. Paul Reid:

Sorry, I may have misquoted the Deputy, but equally she may have misquoted me. I did not say I am confident. I said there is no current evidence that demonstrates that was the case in terms of transmission and transfer of patients across.

Specifically, on the meeting with Nursing Homes Ireland, I would meet and discuss with Tadhg Daly on a reasonable basis throughout this whole process - in the pandemic over the last few weeks. There have been very good relationships between Nursing Homes Ireland and the HSE throughout this period. On the Deputy's question of 19 February specifically, I can remember the meeting clearly. I have met a wide range of stakeholders since I took over the HSE. That was my first meeting with Nursing Homes Ireland. It was my first meeting with Tadhg Daly and its chairperson, Maurice Pratt. It was really geared towards an informal welcome and discussion-----