Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I outlined a number of steps in the process. We are in the key second phase at the moment, involving an in-depth costing.

When I originally brought proposals to Cabinet, we had a notional set-up cost of approximately €14 million and a notional operating cost per year of about €50 million. We are talking significant money, obviously. The Deputy knows me. I believe any money invested in our early years is money well spent but it is State taxpayers' money so we have to make the value-for-money case for the creation of an agency. That is important. We have this programme board. It is overseeing the consultation and that research piece as regards bringing forward the best case for it. It is important that this second phase is undertaken. Once that second phase is undertaken across this year and early into next year, I will be in a better position to talk about when we will bring forward clear legislation in respect of advancing the agency.

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