On the scoping inquiry, the Taoiseach might answer on whether it should report to a different Department. That is a separate matter, however, and I will come back to him on that. What is striking in terms of the reforms that have been announced is that the director general of the HSE announced his retirement date months ago. We now know that he will be leaving in eight weeks time. The advertisement for his replacement, however, is only going out in the coming weeks. What was envisaged by the Government in respect of the intervening period? Were we to have a HSE without a director general effectively for six months because it will take a considerable length of time to find a replacement? One would have thought that headhunting would have begun much earlier for the new director general in respect of the reforms that have been announced. That is the big story. Was the position going to be, or will it be, vacant for quite some time given the lateness of the advertisement going public?

The intention of the scoping inquiry report is to report to the Department of Health as the commissioning Department but perhaps it may make sense-----

It would.

-----for it to report to the Government.

To the Taoiseach's Department.

We have no wish to do anything other than publish it as soon as we have seen it and read it. I will give-----

It is in the terms of reference.

-----that consideration over the next day or two. On the other point, I understand that an executive search or some headhunting has begun already. The delay in placing the advertisement was related to the fact that the Department of Health wanted to define the role. There is a reform programme underway - it was set out in the Sláintecare report - to restore a HSE board and to retain the HSE as a body in place. The delay in advertising for the position was simply because the Department wanted to get it right and make sure that the position and its responsibilities were clear in respect of the advertisement being put in. Some initial work, however, has been done already on the executive search.

Is there a timeframe?

It is intended that there will be a gap. Inevitably, by the time the advertisement is placed, applications are made and interviews take place, there will be a gap in that period. The Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, will appoint an interim director general from among the directorate.

The judgment then is to be without a director general.