Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

"None" is the answer. I get the point.

Ms Mangan has mentioned that the board's staff number has decreased from 92 to 74. I offer congratulations but I notice the board has access to consultants. In addition to the other information we have requested, could we have an account of how much the CIB has spent on consultants over the past five years?

If CIB and MABS were to be amalgamated, how many companies would one finish up with? I suspect there would be slightly more than half of 52, perhaps 30 or so.

I asked whether any comfort could be given to the staff as regards what is to happen when the amalgamation is concluded. I thank the delegates for the clarity on this. Ms Mangan said it was her hope and expectation – I wrote that down – that the new arrangement would grow and grow. That is the answer to that.

As regards complaints, Deputy Martin Kenny asked a valid question. He asked a simple question as to the general nature of the complaints. I do not believe he was looking for specific details on some guy making a complaint about some individual on 14 August. Members are entitled to get an answer because the committee is trying to decide how the new structure will deal with those complaints. As far as consultation is concerned, I repeat myself: the volunteers and clients were not consulted. Mr. Clarke outlined very well the nature of the consultation process with MABS. Again, we are no wiser as regards costs. I look at the figures with great interest because, while reference is made to various reports, studies and this and that, why have these not been brought together and presented to us as a justification?