Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to provide one clarification in respect of the previous item that might be of use. Everything I said was correct. In the 2007 Act, section 44(3) states: "In determining the rates of levy, [that is, the 2 cent per litre that everyone is paying] the Minister shall seek to ensure that (taking one year with another) the sums realised by applying those rates to the volume assessments meet but do not exceed the estimated expenses of the Agency and of each designated subsidiary." Therefore, it has approximately 2.5 times what its running costs are. There have been dispatches, both in the UN speeches by Government this week and by the Minister, Deputy Bruton, talking about repurposing the legislation to use this money in respect of actions suggested by the Joint Committee on Climate Action. That would be a breach of the law. That is from where I am coming from in respect of this matter and I say it for the benefit of the Comptroller and Auditor General in the context of his report to us at next week's meeting. I apologise for bringing us back to this matter.