Mr. Bernard Gloster:

Regarding the system that Beaumont Hospital bought, the first thing is I have asked that it be used for the longest period possible before we put the national integration staff records and pay, NISRP, system and other stuff into them so that at least some value is got from the money on that. It goes back to my fundamental, earlier point about the understanding of agencies entirely funded by the State that believe their level of independence is such that they can buy what they want when they want. We pay for it, we pay the bill and they pick the system. Whether it is an integrated financial management system, IFMS, NISRP or a lab system, I have discussed with the Minister throughout this year since she came into office and I have communicated with the hospitals on her behalf as well as on behalf of the HSE, saying we are not prepared to accept a position where any organisation believes that is an appropriate way to discharge public money.