DOCSLIB.ORG

Dáil Éireann

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Dáil Éireann Vol. 731 Tuesday, No. 1 3 May 2011 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Dé Máirt, 3 Bealtaine 2011. Ceisteanna—Questions Taoiseach ………………………………… 1 Minister for Finance Priority Questions …………………………… 11 Other Questions …………………………… 22 Adjournment Debate Matters …………………………… 27 Leaders’ Questions ……………………………… 27 Order of Business ……………………………… 32 Suicide Prevention: Statements (resumed)………………………37 Private Members’ Business Residential Mortgage Debt: Motion ……………………… 61 Adjournment Debate International Terrorism …………………………… 82 School Transport ……………………………… 83 Animal Welfare ……………………………… 86 Accident and Emergency Services ……………………… 88 Questions: Written Answers …………………………… 91 DÁIL ÉIREANN DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL OFFICIAL REPORT Imleabhar 731 Volume 731 Dé Máirt, 3 Bealtaine 2011. Tuesday, 3 May 2011. ———— Chuaigh an Ceann Comhairle i gceannas ar 2.30 p.m. ———— Paidir. Prayer. ———— Ceisteanna — Questions ———— Appointments to State Boards 1. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach his plans to reform the manner in which persons are appointed to State boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5744/11] 2. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach his plans to increase transparency in the system of making appointments to State boards [5908/11] 3. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if it is his policy to advertise appointments to all State boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6655/11] The Taoiseach: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. The Government has decided that new arrangements will be put in place for the making of appointments to State boards and bodies. In future, Departments will invite expressions of interest on their websites for vacancies on the boards of bodies under their aegis. Ministers will not necessarily be confined to those who make expressions of interest, but will ensure all appointees have the relevant qualifications. 1 Ceisteanna — 3 May 2011. Questions [The Taoiseach.] Several Departments have already started this process. The Department of Transport pub- lished on its website an advertisement seeking expressions of interest for appointments as chairpersons of the boards of the CIE companies and the Railway Procurement Agency and also for appointments to the boards of transport, tourism and sport agencies. The Department of Communications has also advertised on its website with regard to vacancies that will arise on the boards of bodies under its aegis before the end of 2011. The Department of Finance has sought expressions of interest for appointments to the board of directors of the recapit- alised banks. The Government has also decided that those who are being proposed for appointment as chairpersons of State boards will be required to make themselves available to the appropriate Oireachtas committee to discuss the approach they will take as chairperson and their views about the future contribution of the body or board in question. Following that discussion, decisions will be taken by the Minister or the Government, as appropriate, to confirm the nominee as chairperson. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Taoiseach as an fhreagra sin. The soundings the Taoiseach has made with regard to the process for appointment to State bodies is welcome. However, it is a matter of regret that up to 110 people were appointed by the outgoing Government to State boards in the period between the dissolution of the previous Dáil and the formation of the new Government. We all agree this is not the way to do business and we need to ensure an ending to the “jobs for the boys” approach that has pertained in the past. The Taoiseach gave some information on advertisements that have been placed and some appointments made. Is that an exhaustive account of matters at present? How many appoint- ments has the Government made since it took office? I ask the Taoiseach to expand on the level of scrutiny and transparency that will apply in future appointments. I note that he again referred to prospective chairs of State boards presenting themselves before Oireachtas commit- tees. When will this process begin? Can the Taoiseach reassure us that this will not be simply a rubber-stamping exercise? What kind of discretion will the Oireachtas committees have? Crucially, will a committee have the power to block an appointment to a State board? The Taoiseach: The change here is pretty dramatic in the context of what went on before. We also discussed this at the last round of Taoiseach’s Questions. This will take effect from the time the Oireachtas committees are set up, which will be in the very near future. The first person to appear before an Oireachtas committee will be the nominee for appointment to Bord na gCon, for which there has been a vacancy for some time. The procedure is that the proposed person will appear before the relevant Oireachtas committee and give his or her view as to what contribution he or she can make to the agency or body to which he or she is proposed to be appointed. The advertisements to be carried by departmental websites or organisations outside the normal remit of Government will carry the requirements as to what is wanted from the personnel who might apply in an expression of interest, in other words the range of specific qualifications or competencies required so that there is a standard that is required which people will know if they apply or put in an expression of interest. This will take effect as soon as the Oireachtas committees are up and running. As vacancies occur, as will happen, Departments will advertise on their websites the range of competencies and qualifications so that those who are interested can put in their expressions of interest. The Deputy asked if the committee could block somebody’s appointment. I made this clear before; if a proposed person nominated either by a Minister or by the Government really falls 2 Ceisteanna — 3 May 2011. Questions down in making his or her presentation to the relevant committee, obviously the Government or the Minister would need to take that into account, but it is not a function of the committees — they are not blocking committees. It is an opportunity for the proposed person and the committee to discuss the policy issues in respect of the organisation, agency or body concerned. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald: I appreciate that the requirements and job specification would be set out, which is absolutely necessary. If the ultimate power of decision is not vested in the committee — if one is to be cynical about it — does it not then simply become an optical exercise? I do not suggest that the committees should become simply blocking mechanisms, but if one were to scrutinise the candidature of any person for any appointment, surely the logical outflow from that is that the committee would have the power to either accept or reject, to endorse or otherwise the candidacy for any particular position. It leads me to conclude that perhaps this is simply optics and a rubber-stamping mechanism. An Ceann Comhairle: Could we have a question, please? Deputy Mary Lou McDonald: Given that an applicant will set out initially his or her vision for the job based on what he or she can bring thereto, what will be the role of the committee in scrutinising performance on an ongoing basis? The Taoiseach: It depends on the organisation, agency or committee involved. The Govern- ment set policy, as decided by the Cabinet, and a range of organisations, agencies and Depart- ments implement it. If one wants to see the scale of change, one should note that Oireachtas committees never had the range of competencies required or the necessary experience. Members were appointed on the basis of friendship rather than competence, as admitted in the House by a former Taoiseach. That is not the way it should be. If agencies, organisations and committees are to conduct their business properly, it must be done in the context of implementing and carrying through on current Government policy in the interests of the coun- try and the people. It would be thoroughly unwise, therefore, of a Government to disregard the view of an Oireachtas committee of anybody appearing before it. That is why expressions of interest will be made by people who deem themselves to be competent and have the experi- ence and qualifications necessary to express an interest in a position in the first place. We want far greater transparency than has been the case heretofore. In the main, the appointments will be confirmed by the Cabinet, or Minister, after the appointees have been proposed and have appeared before the relevant committee to make their case. Deputy Micheál Martin: I have two questions, Nos. 2 and 3, on the same issue. While not wanting to get involved in party political point-scoring, for decades every Government, before its dissolution after a general election, appointed people to State boards as vacancies arose. On the Taoiseach’s last day in office as Minister for Tourism and Trade he appointed a Fine Gael trustee to the board of Bord Fáilte. Deputy Phil Hogan: That was a long time ago. Deputy Micheál Martin: We can all—— An Ceann Comhairle: The Deputy should ask a question. The Taoiseach: That is prehistoric at this stage. Deputy Micheál Martin: While I welcome the change, I do not believe it is dramatic. I am conscious that even Sinn Féin, for example, had made comments—— 3 Ceisteanna — 3 May 2011. Questions An Ceann Comhairle: Questions, please. Deputy Micheál Martin: I have two. I am building up to them and will ask them if allowed without interruption. Although I heard Sinn Féin articulate concerns about this system, it was no slouch when it came to North-South bodies, for example.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • REPORT of the Joint Committee of Inquiry Into the Banking Crisis Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act, 2013
    TUARASCÁIL ón gComhchoiste Fiosrúcháin i dtaobh na Géarchéime Baincéireachta An tAcht um Thithe an Oireachtais (Fiosrúcháin, Pribhléidí agus Nósanna Imeachta), 2013 REPORT of the Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act, 2013 Volume 1: Report Volume 2: Inquiry Framework Volume 3: Evidence January 2016 Finalised by the Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis on the 26 January 2016 and sent by the Chairman, on behalf of the Joint Committee, to the Clerks of both Houses of the Oireachtas, for circulation to the members of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann in accordance with Standing Orders 107G and 103L of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann respectively, to enable the tabling of motions in both Houses to order the publication of this Report pursuant to section 40(1) (a) of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act, 2013. Table of Contents Introduction by the Chairman of the Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis 3 Findings and Recommendations 7 1. The Banks 19 2. The Role of External Auditors 69 3. The Property Sector 85 4. State Institutions 99 5. Government Policy and the Oireachtas 161 6. Preparation for the Crisis: July 2007 – 29 September 2008 197 7. The Guarantee 243 8. Post-Guarantee Developments 279 9. Establishment, Operation and Effectiveness of NAMA 311 10. Ireland and the Troika Programme 329 11. Burden Sharing 357 Appendix List 1. Inquiry Framework Overview 375 2. Members of the Joint Committee 377 3. Orders of Reference of the Joint Committee 379 4.
    [Show full text]
  • Joe Higgin's Banking Inquiry Report
    The Banking Inquiry Why Ireland Experienced a Systemic Banking Crisis Alternative Analysis and Conclusions to the Report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis By Joe Higgins TD, Member of the Joint Committee1 January 27, 2016 Extreme Profiteering driven by corporate greed drove the property bubble and caused the crash; Bubble Governments of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Tánaiste Mary Harney, Finance Ministers McCreevy & Cowen served the interests of bankers/developers Not those of ordinary people; Enda Kenny, Fine Gael Leader, was a silent non Opposition Witness after witness at the Banking Inquiry, including bankers and developers themselves, attested to the kind of cut throat competition between them for profit that drove the reckless lending practices that inflated the property/banking bubble and led to the disastrous economic crash. Dermot Gleeson, the Chairman of AIB from 2003 to 2009 testified as to how his bank aped the methods of Anglo Irish Bank which was lending recklessly to developers and raking in major profits. He maintained that they had a problem of: Anglo being held up to us as an exemplar…Commentators in Ireland and abroad repeatedly said, “Anglo is the best bank. Why can’t you be more like Anglo?” It was determined by one international consultancy to be the best bank of its size in the world. It was the darling not just of the Irish but of European stock exchanges generally… Ethna Tinney, who was an independent Non-Executive Director of EBS 2000-2007, told the Inquiry: The belief that there were substantial profits to be made for the society from these developments led us to emulate our peers…There was a sort of feeding frenzy as the banks clambered over one another to get a piece of the action, especially as new foreign banks had entered the market as competitors…There was a sense that we were becoming a minnow as 1 With major technical assistance and research by Diana O’Dwyer 1 INBS expanded its lending and started to post profits that were up to five times the profits we were posting.
    [Show full text]
  • Michael D Interview
    Optimising Murdoch Michael D Optimising our Oil Ireland’s Oil and survival battle interview & Gas resources Gas Resources PAGE 8 » PAGE 16 & 17 » PAGE 24 & 25 » Report of the SIPTU Oil & Gas Review Group Vol. 10 No.6 July 2011 ISSN 0791-458X Troika did noT seek cuT in WaGes of loW paid Workers By FRANK CONNOLLY of the JLC system that recom- domestic economy is the engine mended its retention and added of growth and if you keep taking The EU/ECB/IMF Troika did NOT that they would not be consider- cogs out of the engine by imped- seek to scrap the Joint Labour ing its recommendations until the ing people’s ability to spend, you Committee/Employment autumn. will choke it completely,” Patricia Regulation Order (JLC/ERO) wage They also indicated that they King told Liberty. setting mechanisms during last had not studied the controversial “The three representatives were year’s talks on securing an €85 bil- reform proposals put forward by very clear that they did not seek lion loan facility with the Fianna the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise to have the pay of low paid work- Fáil-Green Party government. and Innovation, Richard Bruton. ers cut through a reform of the At a meeting with Congress According to SIPTU Vice JLC/ERO system. They have not leaders in Dublin on Wednesday President, Patricia King, who met considered the issue and they will (13th July), the Troika representa- the Troika along with Congress not be assessing the findings of tives confirmed that they had not General Secretary, David Begg, and the Duffy/Walsh review until the asked the previous administration Congress economist, Paul autumn,” she said.
    [Show full text]
  • Ireland's New Losers: Contemporary Irish Fiction and the Ethos of Failure
    Ireland’s New Losers: Contemporary Irish Fiction and the Ethos of Failure by Michael Fontaine Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Dalhousie University Halifax, Nova Scotia November 2019 © Copyright by Michael Fontaine, 2019 To Mom, Dad, Danielle, and Luc ii Table of Contents Abstract v List of Abbreviations Used ivi Acknowledgments vvii Chapter One: Introduction 1 1.1. A Time of Crisis 1 1.2. What is a Loser?: Situating Loserdom 9 1.3. Losers, Irish Fiction, and the Question of Postcolonial Irishness 30 1.4. Chapter Outlines 45 Chapter Two: Liberation or Limitation: The Violence of the Celtic Tiger in Donal Ryan’s The Thing About December and Peter Cunningham’s Capital Sins 51 2.1. Introduction 51 2.2. “Caught on the Hop”: Adapting, Failing, and Failing to Adapt in Donal Ryan’s The Thing About December 61 2.3. The Threat of “Endless Possibilities”: Resisting Loss and Fighting Failure in Peter Cunningham’s Capital Sins 86 2.4. Conclusion 111 Chapter Three: Losers, Bankers, and Schemers: Figures of Failure and the Collapse of the Celtic Tiger in Paul Murray’s The Mark and the Void and Claire Kilroy’s The Devil I Know 114 3.1. Introduction 114 3.2. “More Comfortable Wrapped in Chains”: Economic Loserdom and Neoliberal Failure in The Mark and the Void 123 3.3. Powerlessness, Entrepreneurialism, and the Question of Masculine Responsibility in The Devil I Know 146 3.4. Conclusion 172 iii Chapter Four: The Shame, Regret, and Resignation of Living with the Legacies of Clerical Abuse in Roddy Doyle’s Smile and John Boyne’s A History of Loneliness 175 4.1.
    [Show full text]
  • The Irish Banking Crisis
    APOLOGIES, ABUSES AND DEALING WITH THE PAST THE IRISH BANKING CRISIS PREFACE The anticipated readership mirrors the diverse range of interviewees with whom we have been engaging: This background report was commissioned as part of the Apologies, Abuses & Dealing with the Past project – a three-year initiative funded by the Economic & Social • Victims and survivors Research Council. • Legal professionals (including lawyers and judges) • Government officials The wider project explores the relationship between apologies, abuses and dealing with the past. Using the island of Ireland as a case-study, the project will explore a range • Local and national policymakers of wider themes concerning the ways in which apologies have been constructed, • The clergy and Church officials delivered and received beyond the state. It focuses on apologies for harms inflicted • Bankers by paramilitaries, state actors, churches and the corporate sector. • Civil society activists The project team are based at the Schools of Law; History, Anthropology, Philosophy • Journalists and other commentators and Politics (HAPP); and Social Sciences, Education and Social Work (SSESW) at Queen’s University Belfast. • Scholars interested in the role of apology in dealing with the past Despite widespread acknowledgment and acceptance that apologies are key to dealing The entire paper series will be made available on our project website: with past harms, the theoretical literature is rarely informed by detailed empirical www.apologies-abuses-past.org.uk and will be circulated via our various networks assessment of the views of victims, apologisers, or the general public. In recent and twitter accounts. decades, states, armed groups, churches and large corporations have all apologised We hope that you enjoy reading this report and encourage you to disseminate it for past wrongs, albeit with mixed results.
    [Show full text]
  • Module Title: Finance Theory
    To Determine the Impact of How Risk Managers of Irish Financial and Non-Financial Institutions can Effectively Utilized Derivatives Contracts to Hedge Risk- („Risk Reduction‟) Dissertation submitted in part fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of M.Sc. in International Accounting and Finance @ Dublin Business School Adeniyi Adekoya 10131831 August 2015 Adeniyi Adekoya (10131831) Declaration I declare that this research is my original work and that it has never been presented to any institution or university for the award of Degree or Diploma. In addition, I have referenced correctly all literature and sources used in this work and this work is fully compliant with the Dublin Business School‟s academic honesty policy Signed: Adeniyi Adekoya Student No: (10131831) Date: 15th August 2015 Relevant word count: 25,000 approx. Supervisor Name: Mr. Enda Murphy 2 Adeniyi Adekoya (10131831) Acknowledgments Throughout this degree journey, I give all thanks to Almighty for sparing my life and my family members, blessing me with good health, peace of mind and strength to begin and complete this course. I am most grateful for all He has done for me. There are a number of people that I would like to acknowledge for their assistance and support to me. Perhaps, my profound gratitude goes to all and sundry who have assisted me in one way or the other in making this dissertation and, my Master‟s Degree in International Accounting and Finance a reality. Firstly, I wish to express sincere appreciation to my extremely inspiring, extraordinary and kind Supervisor, Enda Murphy, a Senior Lecturer at DBS for showing interest in this research work.
    [Show full text]
  • 02106 House of the Oireachtas Banking Inquiry Volume 1
    TUARASCÁIL ón gComhchoiste Fiosrúcháin i dtaobh na Géarchéime Baincéireachta An tAcht um Thithe an Oireachtais (Fiosrúcháin, Pribhléidí agus Nósanna Imeachta), 2013 REPORT of the Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act, 2013 Volume 1: Report Volume 2: Inquiry Framework Volume 3: Evidence January 2016 Finalised by the Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis on the 26 January 2016 and sent by the Chairman, on behalf of the Joint Committee, to the Clerks of both Houses of the Oireachtas, for circulation to the members of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann in accordance with Standing Orders 107G and 103L of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann respectively, to enable the tabling of motions in both Houses to order the publication of this Report pursuant to section 40(1) (a) of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act, 2013. Table of Contents Introduction by the Chairman of the Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis 3 Findings and Recommendations 7 1. The Banks 19 2. The Role of External Auditors 69 3. The Property Sector 85 4. State Institutions 99 5. Government Policy and the Oireachtas 161 6. Preparation for the Crisis: July 2007 – 29 September 2008 197 7. The Guarantee 243 8. Post-Guarantee Developments 279 9. Establishment, Operation and Effectiveness of NAMA 311 10. Ireland and the Troika Programme 329 11. Burden Sharing 357 Appendix List 1. Inquiry Framework Overview 375 2. Members of the Joint Committee 377 3. Orders of Reference of the Joint Committee 379 4.
    [Show full text]