Mr. Tony O'Brien:

The Deputy would not be asking that question if the pay inflation that they are subject to had been recognised. Leaving that issue to one side, they appear to work effectively as section 39 agencies. If they became public sector agencies that would have much wider implications for them. It would limit their freedoms and it would also have significant public policy implications which would require, I think, detailed consideration in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform at political level. I do not think the answer can be a simple "Yes, it would be better" or "No, it would be worse" but I do think the question would not be arising at all if they did not have the difficulty with regard to pay.