Mr. Peter Lennon:

I think everybody has been assigned an IHI, but its true value is not just the fact that you or I have it, it is the fact the IHI is used in hospital and GP systems. The HSE, after assigning the IHI to everybody, is now rolling the number out to the GP practices and hospitals in order that they will have our IHI when we go to hospital and the GP practice. By asking us a question such as our name, date of birth or personal public service number, PPSN, they will be able to generate our IHI. There is the distinction between everybody having one and its practical implementation, which is based on its roll-out to GP practices and hospitals.