Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)

I am sure the Minister will agree this is an important organisation, established as a result of the Good Friday Agreement, which has an important cross-Border dimension. I am sure he will agree also, as he more or less stated in his reply, that this organisation has had a turbulent existence since it was established a number of years ago. Recent difficulties within the organisation include auditing problems identified by the Comptroller and Auditor General in 2000, 2001 and 2002, and accusations of bullying, referred to by the Minister, which were upheld following an independent investigation, with the result that the staff are now undergoing anti-bullying training. There was also a recommendation that more transparent methods of recruitment would be employed by the body and that all vacancies should be filled in the normal way in such bodies, namely, by open competition. That practice was not always adhered to. The body knew since September that €12 million in unspent moneys was returned to the Government in 2003 and 2004. No one doubts this organisation is founded on worthwhile principles and aims but the question must be asked whether it is achieving these aims. The evidence suggests it is not operating at its most functional. The knock-on effect is a failure to achieve its objectives and the potential that up to €30 million of taxpayers' money could be wasted. Will the Minister agree that in view of these difficulties in recent years it may be timely to review the operations of this body and its efficiencies in achieving its objectives?

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