Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

I stand to support my colleague Senator Walsh and ask the Leader to look, with a fresh pair of eyes, as to how this House might be able to have a fundamental role with regard to some of the quangos and regulatory bodies we have in place, including the tribunals of inquiry. It must be acknowledged there have been some welcome changes, particularly with the Financial Regulator and the Governor of the Central Bank.

There are, however, other bodies, still in their infancy, whose efficacy and productiveness must be questioned. There are many such bodies but I will not go into naming them now. However, will the Leader obtain information about the Private Residential Tenancies Board, PRTB? Maybe its terms of reference are incorrect or it does not have sufficient powers or staff, but many of the cases brought before the board are still ongoing and awards not paid. This is frustrating for the those involved in the PRTB and those who have utilised its facilities. I support Senator Walsh's suggestion for the House to debate such issues and look forward to what the Leader will say about it.