Mr. Niall Ó Donnchú:

I recall seeing some of those representations as well. The NPWS is absolutely at a point of inflection. When the review was completed in 2022, we had a certain perspective on what was needed, but that has changed significantly. The nature restoration law absolutely changes the basis on which we will go forward. It ups the ante significantly in respect of the international and legal obligations on us but also in respect of the opportunity, as the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, has spoken about. The paradigm through which we engage with nature is changing and has changed, and that is to the credit of committees such as this and certainly to the credit of the Oireachtas, which has given significant time to debate on nature. We have seen that change dramatically. We spend a lot of time here appropriate servicing the democratic process. We did not do so in the past, because there were other priorities.

I cannot comment on the resource challenge, although the Cathaoirleach's numbers are not incorrect, because that would bring me into the political realm.

There was a significant amount of catching up to be done in terms of the financial resource but, above all, in terms of the human resource and the capacity. There is still some work to be done. The organisation that stands still gets passed out. There is absolutely a point of inflection. It has shifted. That is why we have looked forward in the context of the international comparators report, which we will speak to. That takes account of what that growth in ambit challenge will look like. It is challenging; I will not say otherwise. Colleagues are excited by that but are not unaware of the challenge. The financial challenge is always there. The nature of the public financing system is that each year, in the context of the Estimates, you fight for what you can get and then do your best with that. That certainly needs to continue on the growth path it has been on, especially in the context of the increased demands on the National Parks and Wildlife Service, which your colleagues have aired, a Chathaoirligh, the complexity of those challenges, balancing the various views and coming up with the right outcomes for farmers, nature, landowners and society. That is challenging.

Thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for the generosity of your comments about colleagues. We have grown. We have certainly changed our public-facing piece. Being established as an executive agency within a Government Department is hugely helpful in that regard. The recruitment challenge continues. I think we anticipate a further 75 people coming into the organisation this year. The international comparators report points out to us a pathway by comparing us with organisations in similar areas abroad and looking at the demands around a nature restoration law, our regulatory, presentation and conservation functions and our international obligations. There is still a huge amount of work to be done on our Natura sites. They are looking at the organisation potentially doubling in size by 2033. That figure has to be seen in the context of directly managing 150,000 ha of high nature value, the context of the 11 articles of the nature restoration law, which will impact us, and the context of 600 Natura sites, many in need of significant investment on measures. We have an excellent relationship with the Department of public expenditure and reform. It sees significant value in what we are achieving with the resources we have, but we are very conscious that it is a challenging space and we will certainly continue to do our best with what resources we get.