Mr. Michael McCarthy:

I thank the Senator for his generous words about those reports. We circulate reports to all our stakeholders, among which are Departments. On powers, we have functions under the Act and are happy with that. There has not been an occasion yet where we have decided to knock on the door of the Minister, Government or Oireachtas to ask for more powers. We do not have the ability to apply sanctions or penalties. I do not necessarily think we want it. We are relatively happy with the parameters we operate within. Over the next while, there may well be an issue of concern to a Minister in a Department with a local government aspect to it that he or she refers to NOAC. We will be happy to engage with any Minister or Department on that basis.