Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand and I thank the Senator.

On the Senators' gentle inquiries, the Department contacted staff from the school earlier. I cannot take credit for it because I did not make personal contact, but the Department is good and mindful of these issues.

Senator Ardagh may not have heard because the decision was made at Cabinet only this morning, but the Cabinet approved changes that will see the ODCE established today as an independent agency which is entirely separate to the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. The Minister said the organisation will become the corporate enforcement authority and will be given new powers of independence in regulations. It will also be given a raft of resources to ensure what happened in the high-profile case that we have discussed will not happen again. I hope that will put the Senator's mind at rest because these matters should not happen.