Mr. John Fitzgerald:

The organisation is young, having been set up only five years ago. It has been regarded as being very successful. The ultimate accolade is that we have been asked to take on more functions in recognition of the fact that we do them well. Much of what we do is on the transport side but there is a powerful emphasis also on the land use planning side, sometimes that is forgotten. Even the name, the National Transport Authority, suggests it is only a transport body. We spend much time working with regional and planning authorities. We have had serious problems in the past concerning housing estates built in areas where there was no public transport or shopping centres. We have much power in terms of how we work with regional and local authorities. We try to work largely by consensus and this works well. We meet with them frequently and discuss the issues and generally they are happy with what we are trying to do. We are very conscious of our role and our accountability to the Government and the committee, and we are at pains to ensure that any information required by the committee, including parliamentary questions, are dealt with expeditiously.

The board has done a good job. I pay tribute to a number of the members who are stepping down now at the end of the five year term. I pay a particular tribute to Mr. Gerry Murphy, CEO, who has appeared before the committee on a number of occasions and is finishing his contract. He has chosen not to go forward again. The authority is buzzing and doing a good job which has been acknowledged; much credit for which is due to Mr. Gerry Murphy.

The Minister has asked me to remain on for another term with the authority in the interests of continuity, as many others, including Mr. Gerry Murphy, are leaving. I have agreed to remain on for two and a half years, a half contract. I think that is enough in the circumstances. I have agreed to do that, subject to the committee's views.

We have appeared before the committee many times and it is acknowledged that we have done a reasonably good job. I look forward to continuing to work with the authority.