Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thought the questions might have been taken together, but it is important that we have an opportunity to respond. The Minister stated in her earlier reply that the core services would be transferred by January 2013. In correspondence to me she might indicate the core services that are to be transferred and indicate a timeframe for the transfer of the remaining services. It is welcome that the governance structure has not been fully agreed to by the Government and that we will have an opportunity to debate it as the legislation proceeds through the House.

The Minister has said she hopes the agency will start with a strong budget. I hope, given that it will be a new agency, that it will not start with a deficit. This is a new agency which will do good work and there should not be an overhang in its budget, as it did not have an opportunity to exert influence heretofore.

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