Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The other issue is the size of the operation. We are in an usual space in Ireland. We have a major conglomeration of tech companies that are a major force. The Data Protection Commission is going up to 170 staff this year alone. We are talking about multinationals that have very deep pockets. Is it big industry against small government? The commission has an independent remit but it is tied in budgetary terms as regards staffing. Even though it is independent, when it comes to budget issues it is tied in to the Government. What is the scale of the deficit at the moment and where do we need to go regarding the scale of funding that is required? Are we looking at some kind of tax on the multinationals so they can be part of the commission's programme and so it can fund itself? Where do the witnesses see the funding stream coming from? Is it strictly coming from central Government? Is there a European element to it? Should there be an industry element as well?