David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

May I make a quick point on the secondment? It is an important issue. Mr. Watt has given clarity that the CMO has permanently stepped down from his position and will take up a position in Trinity College Dublin. All present support that. It will be really good for Trinity College and for the State. If he will still be paid by the Department of Health, however, that can be a problem. A secondment implies that one will return to one's post. Dr. Holohan will not be returning to his post. That does raise questions that have to be answered. The Department will have to answer those questions because somebody in the Department signed off on this. Obviously, the Government signed off on it. It is unsatisfactory.

I will move on to the issue of regional health areas. I refer to option 2, the HSE-local model, referred to in the business case. What is being proposed is that the RHAs will not have a board. Is that correct? Yes. What is being proposed is that there will be no legal change. As Mr. Watt stated, there may not be even a need for legislation. This will be an administrative change. Is that correct?