Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yes. The responses from both Departments have indicated that now is not the right time. It might be worth following up with them about whether they have considered when the right time would be. Also, to run a pilot programme like this, one would probably need more follow-up than just the likes of the public body because there would be fundamental changes. Are the recommendations agreed? Agreed.

The next petition is P00028/24 titled "Credit Unions" and is from Mr. Brian Gould. This petition relates to a request to amend the Credit Union Act 1997 and the Credit Union Act 1997, as amended, section 56(b), which covers the nomination committee for the credit unions. The nomination committee can block or stop a credit union member from standing for election as a board member or a member of the oversight committee. A member needs permission to stand for election under section 56(b). The Credit Union Act 1997, as amended, does not specifically prescribe an appeals process. An organisation, clique, political party or group could extend its influence over a credit union through the nomination committee. The nomination committee comprises board directors and can also allow current members of boards of directors or members of the oversight committee to stand for election.

Regarding unintended consequences, the nomination committee could keep the same board of directors or oversight committee in office for 12 years, or only allow people with the same views. First, the petition requests for an appeals process to be inserted into the Credit Union Act 1997, as amended, and second, that all members who wish to stand for the board of directors or the oversight committee should be notified about whether or not they are allowed to stand at least 14 days before an AGM, so that they can challenge a decision taken by the nomination committee.

The background to this petition is that the secretariat sought the views of the Department of Finance and received a response on 6 March 2024. The recommendation of the committee is to publish the response from the Department of Finance and that the correspondence from the Department of Finance is forwarded to the petitioner for comment within 14 days. Do members have any views on that?