Mr. Martin Varley:

I thank the Chairman and members for the invitation to appear here today. I will just make a few introductory comments. The Irish Hospital Consultants' Association represents 85% of consultants working in acute hospitals and mental health services. Our submission, which members of the committee have probably seen, has been prepared with the assistance of consultants working in the HSE's addiction services in Dublin.

At this point I would like to hand over to Dr. Eamon Keane on my right-hand side. He will give the committee a summary of our position.