Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their attendance. I welcome the establishment of the ODCE as an independent agency. It will have more autonomy, including the ability to recruit people with specialist skills and build on existing expertise. That experience will strengthen the capability available to the ODCE and its ability to investigate increasingly complex breaches of company law. It will also build on the organisational procedural reforms that have been implemented. I will not repeat what was said before but I have some questions. Would the witnesses like to see any additional parts of the Bill enacted? Has there been communication with the Minister or the Department or both regarding additional aspects the ODCE would like to see added to the Bill? Are there any extra powers Mr. Drennan believes the ODCE could avail of? What are the challenges that may be experienced in the changeover to becoming an agency? Could challenges be faced in respect of recruitment or infrastructure? I may also have a follow-up question, depending on the answers.