Ms Vicky McGrath:

A centre of excellence is certainly one of the models to which we would look. We are open to how this will be addressed. Clearly, there is a shortage of genetic consultants and counsellors on a global basis. We may, therefore, need joined-up thinking around how we can get access to the services that we need, and to the people that we need. One of the options that should be on the table, as far as we are concerned, is some type of cross-Border initiative. There are many more genetic consultants and counsellors in Northern Ireland than there are in the Republic of Ireland. This could be a way of shortcutting, particularly through waiting lists, and building a system that works for everybody on the island.