Mr. John McKeon:

I do not wish to get into the issue of lots directly but the one point I will make is that the lots - we have yet to finalise them - do not have to translate into a single provider in each lot or area. I will give an example. In Donegal, which, as the Deputy is aware, is one of the four regions where we tried it out and are taking the lessons from that, the Donegal and Inishowen providers came together to put in a collaborative bid. A similar situation pertained in Sligo and Leitrim. Although it is one lot where there were previously two providers, the two providers are still involved in Donegal and in Sligo and Leitrim. That can continue.

What we are trying to do within particular geographic areas is to make sure there is congruity. That does not necessarily mean the bodies within those areas are-----