Mr. Seamus McCarthy:

The first thing to note is that there are more than three section 38 hospitals. I think the number is 39. The reference to the three hospitals may be because the original correspondence from Beaumont referred to those three hospitals. It was making a specific point regarding that but there are more such hospitals than just the three. The information is useful. It describes what the system is but it does not give a significant amount of information about compliance. Certainly that graphic is concerning. That there would be non-response to the HSE from these hospitals is concerning. One would expect the HSE to chase up on that and ensure it gets the explanations and information it needs or seeks to oversee compliance with procurement rules.