Ms Julie O'Neill:

I will answer in reverse order again. Individual companies and not the NSAI are held accountable to the US FDA and other regulators. The NSAI, along with other agencies and the Government, has created the environment which supports compliance, good regulations and good standards application. It is a more holistic rather than an individualistic approach. Ireland has been strong on compliance in manufacturing industries. This compliance record has helped attract and retain new industry. Standards play a very important role because they create the framework in which to build the infrastructure which supports industry.

With regard to the challenges, I am not an expert yet in the workings of the NSAI but I am sure the challenges are similar to those more broadly in the public sector, which are funding and operating within the employment control framework. We must also ensure we develop the standards appropriate to small and large industry, create the environment appropriate for the development of innovative products, and help to create the infrastructure which allows small companies in particular operate more effectively in the export sector. I am not yet an expert and I hope in the coming months to become more au fait with what exactly the challenges are as I continue with the board if I am ratified.