Dr. Don Thornhill:

I cannot speak about what happened during the pre-enactment phase. I was not involved and I am not terribly familiar with the detail. I see no evidence in our engagement with the Department of Justice and Equality or the Minister of an intention to keep us in a type of limbo situation. It is quite the contrary in fact. I have heard it said - but never to me officially - that one of the reasons we were established in the way we were - without offices, staff and funding - was an anxiety on the part of the Minister and the Department not to be seen to be interfering in our affairs. I do not know what credence can be attached to that. We were launched on a very flimsy craft. The Department did give us practical help at that particular point.