Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

Absolutely. Ordinarily, it can be difficult to keep everyone on side, but it will be more difficult to do so in respect of an agency with NORA's type of contacts. For example, it will buy and sell on the global energy market.

If the Minister responded to Deputy Broughan's points and elaborated on how the State would be doubly protected, it would assure the House. People of substance must be involved at this level and one cannot impugn their integrity beforehand, but it would be no harm for everyone to be aware of the starting point and to try to aspire to the highest possible standards to protect the interests of the State.

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