John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

My Department is currently in negotiations with the Department of Finance on this issue. I have highlighted the need for extra staff in the critical areas of compliance and enforcement. These are my priorities for the upcoming budget. There is a necessity for extra staff in certain areas, such as the EPA, the national parks and wildlife section of my Department, as well as compliance and enforcement areas of local authorities. Negotiations are ongoing, but at this stage I cannot give a direct answer.

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