Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 249 and 254 together.
No public funding has been provided to the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland for research into hepatitis C. The specific research to which I presume the Deputy is referring will, inter alia, contribute to a wider research project which is being supported by my Department and involves all six centres at which patients with hepatitis C are treated. The purpose of this project is to create an integrated clinical database. Work on the project is proceeding on schedule and no delays have occurred as a result of the matter to which the Deputy appears to be referring.
When this research is complete it is anticipated that its findings will be submitted for publication in line with usual scientific/medical research procedures.