Mr. Seamus McCarthy:

There is further information in the HSE annual financial statements by way of the statement of internal financial control. If that could be circulated to Deputies, they would get a more comprehensive picture than is included in the report. It also indicates the steps that the HSE is taking. The HSE has acknowledged that there is a problem and is trying to improve the situation, but it is happening very slowly. It is a matter that Deputies can raise with the HSE. As stated by the Chairman, with the step-up in procurement in 2020 and the circumstances of that procurement, there is likely to be a very significant increase in the amount of non-competitive and non-compliant procurement. However, the emergency circumstances is an allowed circumstance.