Professor William Reville:

The Department carried out a critical review of the potential for the amalgamation of the EPA and the RPII which was completed in 2012. In its findings, it stated:

The Department has carried out an analysis of the proposed merger of EPA and RPII using the guiding principles out lined in the memo for Government referred to in Secretary General Watt’s letter [dated 28 March, 2012]. It is our view that the relatively modest financial benefit of merging the two organisations (potential maximum savings of €80,000 per annum) is far outweighed by the administrative costs, inherent reputational risks and legislative complexities of such a merger.
There is a risk that a merger in this instance would not contribute to the leaner and more focussed public service desired by the Government, but risk a blurring of each body’s considerable national and international responsibilities.

That was the Department’s considered view. I have heard no argument from anybody identifying any clear advantage to the merger. That is why I began my presentation stating that our board is mightily puzzled as to why this merger is being insisted on. The net income will be that where there are two bodies, there will only be one.