Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

With regard to Deputy Ó Caoláin's last question, we now have key performance indicators which measure the number of new out-patients seen by consultants and the public/private mix. There are procedures under the contract for enforcing the agreement. That is under way.

The Comptroller and Auditor General, in his report, measured the prices paid by the NTPF against the casemix benchmark and the comparison is favourable. The fund does incredibly well.

See this speech in context