Ms Oonagh Buckley:

The question is, first of all, one of resources. Deputy Ó Broin, who has just stepped out, also asked this question. The Department has sanctioned an additional 33 posts for the board to deal with its new marine functions, but we have a larger claim in for 59 posts, on which we will be engaging with the Department. I expect we will be seeking still more resources on foot of that. As the Senator will know, we are currently down on actual board members. That is a matter I am pressing the Department to deal with very urgently because it fundamentally does not matter how many planners or administrators I have working in the board because, if I do not have the people to take the decisions, I cannot issue them. The quorum is now three but I am down to five ordinary members, including the deputy chairperson, as of Friday. Up to now I have worked only as the CEO of the organisation but I will now have to start working as the chairperson or chief commissioner to maintain two quorums, with effect from next week. That will be challenging. I just wanted to make that point.

With regard to the question of fees, I will be honest with the Senator and say that I do not have a particular view and have not expressed a view to the Department. To go back in time, there is a European court judgment that says any fees, particularly for third party involvement, have to be set at such a level as to maintain public involvement. Fees for making appeals to the board have never been sufficient to recover costs. They have always been lower than would allow for recovery of the cost. I do not expect that to change. The board has always been substantially grant-aided by the State and I expect and hope that will continue.