David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Anyway, the note states that the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform's position is that the very maximum affordable settlement for health is €808 million into the base. That was its starting point. It was also its finishing point. Therefore, whatever negotiations took place, the Department of Health got not a cent extra - that is a fact - in terms of core expenditure. The note goes on to state that, as regards the Vote, that figure has not been given to the Department of Health, given the gap between both Departments and the lack of meaningful engagement on a revised base and the risk that this would be used as a starting point for negotiation of a higher amount.

So even at that level the view is, do not tell them what the figure is because of risk and, as I see it, they will see this as a negotiation and they are simply not doing what we have asked them to do. Does the Minister see that as problematic? I assume that he is going into meetings in good faith trying to negotiate the best he can get for the health service, and that that is the approach of the officials and the Minister for public expenditure and reform.