Mr. Michael McCarthy:

There are two points, essentially. If we take the current affairs programme to which the Deputy referred, it is my view that most, if not all, of the information that was used in terms of that programme was actually pulled from the various reports either from the local government audit service and-or the Local Government Management Agency, LGMA. That provided an element of a window into the operations, if you like, of the system that applies a level of accountability.

Ultimately, I suspect that if it is deemed to be a gap in the system, we are precluded in our role from direct policy by virtue of the Act. There is a provision in the Act for the Minister or any Minister, however, given the array of services that are now available from local government. Once upon a time, it was the Minister with responsibility for the environment and the 30-odd councils whereas now there are so many offerings that it permeates most, if not all, Departments. If there were a situation in the future whereby any particular Minister, not least the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, decided to refer a matter to NOAC, we would have a statutory role in responding to that request. That is one element. The other element is that ultimately, if it is deemed that there is a gap in the system, that would be a policy element for Government. Then, whatever decision is arrived at, we would be duty bound if the Minister asked us to intervene on a particular issue, which we would be more than happy to do.