Mr. Robert Watt:

I have to be careful in suggesting the remit of another body under another Department should be changed. I would have thought that in making a change in local government funding arrangements there would be much less reliance on the centre and much more on local sourcing of money. I would have thought this would change the nature of the debate such that over time, as mentioned by Deputy John Deasy, local councillors would be called to account not only for spending but also advising on how money should be raised. Therefore, there will be a different type of accountability mechanism. The centre will be providing funding to a figure of 10% to 15%; therefore, the role of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government or our Department will be diminished when it comes to the provision of funding. We are in a different place. I presume the establishment of the oversight board will have implications for the local government audit committee in the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. I presume there will be a collapsing of one into the other.