Ms Oonagh Buckley:

We are very much ad idem with the Department of Health. To clarify, we have advised the Department on the composition of its statement on pay policy with respect to section 38 agencies. There was a certain amount of tick-tacking between us in August this year to try to ensure the statement would be issued as soon as possible after the internal audit report was formally presented and made available to the Department.

I hope the Chairman will forgive me. I had a copy of the letter referred to in this letter sent to my mobile phone and, therefore, I have been able to read it, illegally, I imagine. It is now on the system.

The reference to the letter sent to the committee by Mr. Watt is a reference to the modification of the one person, one salary standing rule, which has been in position since the early 1970s. The modification was to the effect that public servants appointed to State boards in any capacity could no longer receive fees for service.