Ms Caroline Spillane:

I agree with the points made about the drawbacks. The concept was that of an Irish building authority and there are obviously examples of that in the accountancy field, where something similar was established. There is probably a trend towards consolidation in regulation rather then dispersal. There are issues with resourcing and time span, however. Going back to some of the points we already raised, the Minister has an opportunity here to specify who should be on both the overarching board and the sub-boards and to ensure that there is independence there. Colleagues have already mentioned this. There is also an opportunity to introduce accountability here through auditing by the Comptroller and Auditor General, as well as accountability to the Oireachtas and to committees such as this one. Accountability to the courts is also embedded in the draft Bill. Those three facets, together with public scrutiny, should give a high degree of public assurance around the independence of the register.