I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 19, 22, 29, 31, 48, 59, 60 and 126 together.
The functions of the Environmental Research Unit are specified in the Environmental Research Unit (Establishment) Order, 1988, which was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 12 February 1988. I have appointed the following officers of my Department to be the management committee of the new unit: Mr. Desmond Malin (Chairman); Mr. Brian Campbell; Mr. Brendan O'Donoghue; Mr. Patrick O'Duffy and Mr. Séan Walsh.
The Environment Awareness Bureau will cease to operate at the end of April next. An Foras Forbartha will be wound up as soon as possible. The question of a continuing working relationship between the unit and these two bodies does not therefore arise. It will be a matter for the management committee of the unit, with my consent, to decide what property, if any, it should take over from An Foras Forbartha. The new unit will be financed by grants from Subhead R — Research, Analytical and Related Services — of my Department's Vote which provides a sum of £1.750 million for research and other services in 1988. The sum to be paid to the unit in 1988 will depend on the rate of progress made in bringing the unit into full operation.'
It is intended that the number of employees necessary to enable the new unit to perform its functions will be drawn from the staff of An Foras Forbartha. The terms and conditions of these employees are being finalised and are the subject of discussions with the unions concerned. The remaining employees of An Foras Forbartha will be dealt with under the voluntary redundancy arrangements or by redeployment to other fillable posts in the public sector.
While I have not yet given any direction to the unit as to the keeping and auditing of its accounts and its finances generally. I envisage that the standard arrangements applicable to bodies of this kind will apply.