Ms Jacqui Browne:

I will address the broad issue of Departments approaching DPOs. I can say that it does not happen. I have highlighted that there must be capacity building and funding. We are getting lots of invitations to attend things or respond to consultations. As has been said here several times this morning, we are volunteers and we do not have 1 cent. We have the knowledge but we do not have the capacity to respond in terms of resources. We are not going to be idiots and we will not sit up until 2 o'clock in the morning writing responses to the State that will probably be left on a shelf. Until DPOs are respected by being funded and resourced to deliver and to genuinely participate in the State and in matters of concern to us in our lives, then there is no point in expecting us to respond. The expression: "Pay peanuts and you get monkeys" springs to mind. We will start as we intend to finish. The State must show respect for DPOs and fund them properly in order for them to participate.