Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the witnesses on their presentation. It was well-focused, well-directed and at an opportune time. Timing is all-important in all this business. In particular, I congratulate the witnesses on their point about enabling the establishment of teams in CHO 5, CHO 8 and CHO 9. The point was well made. Now is the time to make it; in other words, in good time for Bernard Gloster's meeting with the committee and in anticipation for the budget, preparations for which will take place shortly. It is important that the traumas suffered by people are emphasised and that the general public is made aware of it, as well as those responsible for the budget. There is a pecking order to everything. I hope the witnesses have moved up the pecking order in the context of the services they provide.

Without any further ado, I thank the witnesses for attending, their backup teams and the members who participated on what has turned out to be a very busy day. There are various people in various places at various urgent meetings. Some are attempting to attend two, three and - sometimes the impossible - four meetings at a time.