Professor Gerard Bury:

We have had great support from the Department of Health. I have had so many meetings with so many people. The Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, has been very supportive and has regularly made contact with us about our work. The direct face-to-face work though has been with HSE global health, as the vehicle through which funding and other supports are offered. For instance, staff of the HSE who have come on training missions have had their contractual arrangements looked after in terms of our work. We have not directly engaged with the Department of Health on this matter.