The report by the Southern Health Board on private practice in hospitals in that region is a public document. I should like to know if, since its publication, the Minister has taken any steps to control the level of private practice which has risen to 63 per cent by one consultant in St. Finbar's Hospital, Cork, to 52 per cent in the Orthopaedic Hospital while in the case of other consultants it has risen to 20 per cent and 30 per cent? At a time of scarce resources and cutbacks, surely the Minister has a responsibility to control such abuse in that region? In relation to the activities of some consultants, I should like to ask the Minister if there will be any element of indepth monitoring of the level of private practice in the new contract.

The appropriate mix of patients as between those receiving public and private treatment is a matter that will be discussed in the context of the common contract. The question raised by the Deputy in regard to the Southern Health Board will be part of that aspect of the negotiations of the common contract.

Does the Minister recall that when I raised this allegation in the House on 10 May he said it was unfounded. I referred to the report of the Southern Health Board and I was given an assurance by the Minister that the matter would be investigated. What investigation has taken place of this unprecedented high level of private practice in hospitals that are facing cutbacks in regard to equipment and staff? Has the Minister carried out any investigation of the matters highlighted in that alarming report?

As I said, this is part of the negotiations on the common contract. I should like to point out that the common contract was due for review in 1986 when the Deputy's party were in office but they did not even attempt to review it.

The Minister is washing his hands of the issue.

We are carrying out a review of the contract and we will be looking at the issues raised by the Deputy.

The Minister does not seem to be in control of what is happening in hospitals at present. Since we have some time left I should like to congratulate the two consultants in the Meath Hospital in Dublin who performed a national duty by pointing out what is going on in our hospitals.

The Deputy is deviating at question time. This is not in order.

Does the Minister agree that they should be congratulated for doing their public duty?

Deputy Allen, please resume your seat.

It is nice to hear the Deputy congratulating the consultants for a change.

The Deputy is deviating from the question under discussion.

They are national heroes in my view.

That disposes of ordinary and priority questions for today. We have five minutes before we take the Order of Business.

I propose that the sitting be suspended for five minutes.

It is proposed that the sitting be suspended for five minutes. Is that agreed? Agreed.