Mr. Michael McCarthy:

There was a recent seminar in the Department on corporate plans between NOAC and different stakeholders. We can analyse and objectively assess data that we receive from those stakeholders but one can very quickly veer into policy territory where we do not have the prescribed legislative mandate. That is not to say we would not develop a view on it over time with the stakeholders if there is a pressing issue. If a Minister in any of the Departments on the local government linkage within that Department decides that an issue is topical or serious or needs extra consideration they can refer to us. There are avenues by which we could deal with issues like that but that would be the call of the Minister of the day in that Department if they felt it necessary.