Mr. Dermot A. Ryan:

The first point to make is that we receive monthly financial statements from Bord na gCon, which means we are on top of its financial position and, in particular, its level of borrowings. In regard to specific complaints that would come in to us concerning Bord na gCon, we make a judgment call and there are certain issues that are matters for the board and executive of the organisation itself to deal with. We raise any issues that come to us with the executive of Bord na gCon and, if necessary, we meet with the board. We take the view that if they are procedural matters for the board or executive to deal with, then that is where they should be dealt with. It should not be our role to get involved in doing the work the board and executive are supposed to do. Some of the issues that come in relate to human relations, for example, and clearly those are matters in which we cannot get involved. Having said that, we discuss such matters with Bord na gCon in order to be satisfied that they are, in fact, for the board and executive to deal with rather than the Department.