Mr. Kevin McCarthy:

We are working towards a target transfer date of 1 July. We need to go back to the Government in advance of that. We have been seeking to agree a number of issues with the Department of Health about future joint governance arrangements over the HSE, financial governance arrangements and so on. The legislation which enables the transfer has now completed its passage through the Houses. The two Departments are working closely with the HSE and agreeing final arrangements which will involve an overall memorandum of understanding between the Departments and with the HSE. There will also be detailed operational agreements in respect of various functions and so on. A number of detailed arrangements are being worked through. The objective is for the transfer to take place on 1 July.