Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Senator Daly. I know he has a very strong understanding and experience of the sector. Where there are ideas, suggestions and proposals, I am very happy to consider them and reflect on them. As Minister I appoint members to the board of HRI. There is also industry representation from the various sectors of the industry and they play a role in bringing all of the strands of the industry together to pool understanding and knowledge. They decide and consider how best to use the investment, plan for the funding that is coming from the Government, leverage it and ensure there is private investment and maximum funding coming into the sector. It has a very strong role to play in this.

With regard to engagement between HRI, departmental staff and me as Minister, parameter letters are agreed every year. These advise HRI on the allocation from the fund and the split between current and capital distribution.

They also advise the organisation on how it must comply with certain conditions of the funding. That includes compliance with obligations under legislation and various codes and directives issued by the Government and the Department as well. There is, therefore, ongoing engagement. There is a strong role for the board but the Government provides State funding and there is engagement around that and parameter letters on how it is spent. The strategic plan, which is agreed with Government, is also important to laying it out. RCÉ is due to complete one in the first quarter of next year and HRI has had its one for a couple of years. They are important for planning ahead.

I see the point the Senator is making. Where there are particular suggestions it is something I am willing to engage in and reflect on. Then there is the role of the boards of HRI and RCÉ and the pooled knowledge there, which is important to the sector when it comes to balancing out the competing demands for funding and the competing opportunities to use it well.