Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy. As a result of the changes to the consultants' contract that have been achieved we can look forward to the quick appointment of another 120 consultants to the system. These will probably include some microbiologists. The whole purpose of this long and too drawn-out negotiation on the consultants' contract was to enable the Government, or any Government. to move from a consultant-led service to a consultant-provided service in due course.

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