Professor Frank Murray:

There is still a competition process that has be followed. I will give an undertaking that I will enhance that process of managing predictable and early retirements and having an accelerated process.

The issue raised by the Deputy regarding maternity is an important issue and one of the things that we have not really done is catered, at all levels in the medical profession, for unscheduled or less scheduled absences from work. That is a project I have just started looking into.

The points the Deputy is making and the questions she is asking are fair and demand action.