Dr. Alan Barrett:

This is the classic example. In the health system in Northern Ireland, there is greater recognition that it is not working and that the system is broken. Its difficulties will be compounded in the coming years. We are aware of the budgetary difficulties that exist in Northern Ireland at present. The Barnett formula, with which the committee is very familiar, has been held up for many years as guaranteeing positive public finance outcomes in Northern Ireland. It is now recognised that the need in Northern Ireland is 25% higher per capitathan in England. Once funding of public services falls below 125% per capita, although Northern Ireland gets more per capita, it does not make up for the needs gap that exists. Northern Ireland is transitioning to a phase whereby through the Barnett formula the amount it gets per head is falling below what it needs. This means further squeezes on health expenditure. It means that all of the difficulties that exist will be further compounded. Looking at some of the issues of expertise that we touched on earlier, I would have thought they are areas that can be solved.

Deputy Feighan is present and is aware of issues with Roscommon University Hospital.

It has been demonstrated previously that rationalising health services is not a simple thing to do.