Mr. Paul Reid:

I will make two comments and then invite my colleague, Ms O'Connor, who chairs the emergency task force, to comment. I first have to acknowledge that HSE staff are particularly exhausted. It has been a horrendous 16 months for them. On 13 May, we all felt we were seeing brighter days ahead and we were in a much better place, but a few hours later, on 14 May, we experienced a cyberattack. I want to acknowledge what the staff have done. It has been remarkable. I have worked in private organisations for 30 years and I know that one would never see the commitment there that we have seen from the public and health services on this one.

On emergency departments, I will ask my colleague, Ms O'Connor, to make a few comments.