Ms Rachel Flynn:

Yes, it relates to the role of standards. It is essential that we have standards to allow for that interoperability and allow those systems to talk to each other. We have a role within HIQA to develop and improve national standards for health information. We have done so in the past, with something as simple as demographic data. This relates to how one records their name and address and how that can be shared with other systems. The HSE has a role when they procure these systems, which is that they should mandate the supplier to adhere to national standards and put those standards in place. The Deputy is correct that many of the systems within the current health system do not speak to one another and there is a need for a clear strategy around how we will overcome that.