Mr. Tony O'Brien:

The phoneline is clearly a phoneline, irrespective of what we call it. It is currently receiving 900 calls a day. The data indicate they are being answered within 18 seconds on average. Therefore, the phone system is working. The only issue relates to the numbers requiring a detailed consultation by telephone. That is being worked through and the daily statics show that it is progressing, not obviously as fast as we would like, but as well as it reasonably can.

In the issue of whether or not I was called, I want to quote that great philosopher, Deputy Alan Kelly, "It's so bizarre and unbelievable that it must be true." I believe that is what he said on a radio station last week. Indeed he had the opportunity to question all the people whose - to use a Monopoly term - get-out-of-jail-free card would have been to say that they told me, and they did not. I will be going in three months. They have no advantage by protecting my back other than that they are decent, honest people in this regard.

There has been much speculation and discussion and many words said about annual leave. As early as February this year, I put in place deputisation arrangements, as I am required to do under the Act, for the period 1 to 22 July, with a view to my final two working days being 23 and 24 July, the latter marking the official end of my term of office as director general. I have indicated that I intend to push back the start of that period in order that I will definitely be around for the report on the scoping review. However, I have also indicated to the Minister that, given that I will take leave later, it is highly unlikely I will return on 23 and 24 July, just as a matter of practicalities, and that, rather than appointing an acting director general, as the law provides, I will instead invite him, in the interests of the organisation, to appoint an interim director general from that day forward to avoid chopping and changing and uncertainty which the health service does not need at this time. That is the position on my annual leave.