Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In the context of funding, the fact that we have seen a 21% increase shows the commitment we have in developing and evolving the office overall. It is seeing a significant increase in staff and there is an ongoing competition as well in that area to recruit additional staff. In the past six months, my Department has said we will look at the potential of increasing the number of commissioners from one to three. That does not require legislation, as the legislation has already been approved and passed in that regard. I will be making a decision on that very shortly.

Separately, while I do not comment on individual cases or the work of the commissioner, I met recently with the Commissioner responsible for this brief and remit at a European level, Didier Reynders. He was very clear that the work the commission and the team are carrying out is very much in line with the rules, regulations and legislation that was set out at a European level.

My role is to ensure that the commission is resourced and funded to the best of its ability. I hope the increase in funding and the expansion of the staff working within the commission's office, and the possible expansion of the commissioners is a clear indication of that support.