Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Yes, and I thank the Chair. I have just four questions. I thank Mr. Moscovici for his attendance and for going through the country-specific recommendations with regard to Ireland. Does the Commissioner think it is unusual that it has taken so long to implement reform to the legal services in Ireland, given this is a matter that has been flagged for so long? Does he have thoughts on the delay? Second, in the bailout memoranda, it was recommended that Ireland introduce further deterrents to corporate crime and in particular to increase the penalties for summary prosecutions, but this has not happened. Does he have views on that? Is corporate crime something the Commission encourages or discourages or on which it has any views at all?

As for the financial transaction tax, the Commissioner discussed taxation and obviously, Ireland has opted out of the financial transaction tax. Is that a matter on which the Commission has taken or takes a view? What impact would it have on Ireland's recovery were it to opt in to the introduction of a financial transaction tax? Finally, on the issue of the privatisation of State resources, legacy resources are very much in the news today in Ireland. In the Commissioner's native country and more so in the United Kingdom and Spain, golden shares were used to protect assets after they were privatised, the British Airport Authority being one example and Telefónica being another. The Commission, which Mr. Moscovici represents here today, successfully took cases against them and, consequently, they essentially were obliged to get rid of their golden share. Does the Commissioner have views on the suitability of golden shares to protect legacy assets?