The health boards are obviously taking a far deeper cut in terms of staffing than any other section of the public service. Will the Minister not agree that the staffing levels of the health services are affected by the cut backs over and above the embargo? Will he comment in relation to St. Vincent's hospital and say how a particular situation will be dealt with in the context of the Minister's guidelines? I am sure the Minister is aware that a senior heart specialist is to retire from St. Vincent's this month and that he is one of two serving the whole hospital. Will that surgeon be replaced? Will some other staff member lose a job in order that the heart specialist can be replaced?

I am sorry we are now entering into priority Question Time. I sought to facilitate Deputies. We can have a brief question from Deputy De Rossa.