Chapter 8: Gather other resources KEY QUESTIONS • What other resources does an inquiry require? • What does the budget need to cover? • What non-financial resources are needed? 8.1. OTHER NECESSARY RESOURCES In addition to personnel – Inquiry Commissioners and staff – the inquiry has other resource needs, in particular money, premises and equipment. Securing these resources is one of the earliest tasks in establishing a national inquiry. An inquiry should not be launched unless and until the NHRI either has the resources it will need or is assured that it can obtain them at the necessary times. 8.2. BUDGET The inquiry needs an adequate budget to enable it to do what is required to meet the objectives and carry out the terms of reference. The budget should set out all the financial requirements of the inquiry, from the beginning. It should be realistic, reflecting the actual costs that will be incurred. The funds to meet the budget, either existing funds or realistically accessible funds, should be identified and then assured before the inquiry is launched. The principal budget items will be: • salaries: Inquiry Commissioners and staff • travel: transport, accommodation and travelling allowance • public hearings: hiring venues (where necessary), publicity, refreshments, recording evidence • offices for the inquiry team • information resources: online resources and books, other publications and DVDs that the NHRI library does not have • equipment: computers, mobile telephones, printers, photocopiers, perhaps recording equipment • electronic communications: internet access, website, telephone calls • publications: briefing papers, background and research papers, the final report in its various formats • events: briefings for victims and NGOs, the launch of the inquiry, the release of the final report, seminars • advocacy. The budget should also include a provision for contingencies. Even a well-planned national inquiry will encounter unexpected demands. Sometimes the cost of particular items in the budget will exceed expectations. Sometimes an issue will arise that requires more investigation than had been planned. The contingency provision ensures that the funds are there to meet these unexpected demands. It is generally acceptable to include a provision for contingencies equal to ten per cent of the total budget. Chapter 8: Gather other resources | 37