Mr. Shaun Flanagan:

The Government decided that where a treating consultant decided that his or her patient had a prognosis of 24 months or less, that we were to provide a medical card and that is what we are doing. Individuals can receive second opinions but it is not a part of the system as it has been built. Against that, in terms of a treating consultant, whether it is a first or second opinion, the HSE will not get into a dispute with consultants on that basis.