Currently the RIPE anwering times are fine and I see no reason that they should be increased for us all because additional finance paperwork is demanded by those who twist the cent ...
Why do you make a direct, unbreakable link between 'answering times' and the budget ? There is *a* link, but it is not linear and certainly not transparent. I believe it is right to question how *my* money is spent and whether or not RIPE is providing an over-protected environment to its own staff and management while the rest of us are expected to pay up without question. Whether you like is or not, RIPE is a 'natural monopoly' and so should be very carefully watched to make sure it, as an organisation, is not abusing it's very priviledged position. Does anyone disagree that RIPE is a monopoly in it's territory ? Peter