Mr. Bernard Gloster:

One of the things about individual institutions is the question of when something is an overspend or is underfunded. There are disputes about this. I would say, however, that I met the CEOs and chairs of every voluntary hospital at the start of the year. I recognised the challenge they had coming into the year and I assured them that, provided they did not grow that challenge without our approval, they would be cashed out and cash-managed this year. This is the intention and the plan. The State has to pay its bills. These are public service bodies and their staff are public servants. The debate as to whether there is underfunding or overspending probably requires more time.