Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I was asking what the Ombudsman could do if we did not have the exemption status. According to the section to which I refer, she could investigate any entity that is financed wholly or partly, whether directly or indirectly, by means of moneys provided from the Exchequer. Taxpayers have that entitlement. That is my concern about exemptions. They know where one is when they are looking for money and then they are exempt when one asks what they did with it. That can affect individuals.

On the example the Minister mentioned, of course, we would not be particularly exercised as to whether Ryanair liked decisions etc., but the airport charges were increased by 41% by that regulator at the behest of the former Minister, Mr. Noel Dempsey, which might have affected a great many in their day-to-day dealings.