Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Cuirim fáilte roimh na finnéithe. Tús ár laethanta saoire atá ann so táimid i ndea-ghiúmar inniu. I have read the documentation. A whole range of very important work is being done by the EPA. Two weeks ago, the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Central Statistics Office appeared before this committee. I would place the EPA among them as together they make up the trinity of organisations that are most important to the country in terms of trust and accountability. I welcome the accounts. I believe it is the first time that a clear audit has been achieved. No issues around procurement have arisen either. In my three years on this committee, there has always been an issue. I welcome the EPA on that positive note. It is important to believe in the Central Statistics Office, the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Environmental Protection Agency. We are utterly reliant on them.

The briefing document notes that the EPA identified a shortage of skills in its work plan for 2019. It prepared a workforce plan and reviewed its existing resources and skill gaps. What are these gaps? Will they be filled? Has a plan been submitted to the Government?