Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Boate. It just seems unusual for a company that is profitable. I understand that this does not fall within the regulator's brief. We are under time pressure so I will move on. In respect of the distribution of funds to good causes, the regulator is concerned with proper administration. An issue that has been raised with me is that, under the model in England, an entirely independent body administers the funding to good causes while, under the Irish system, the decision lies with the Minister. I would like to look at how the funding is allocated. It has also been raised with me that successive Ministers responsible for the environment and national heritage have failed to request funding given that it would impact on the discretion of their colleagues to benefit causes in the constituencies. The natural environment was added as a beneficiary under the Act in 2013 but it has not benefited since. Does the regulator have any comment on transparency in that regard? It is something that has been raised with me and it is an interesting point.