Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 24 April 2013

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance

Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Bill 2011: Committee Stage

7:00 pm

Photo of Michael NoonanMichael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am not opposed in principle to the measure under discussion. The provision would more appropriately be introduced in a reforming Bill of the Minister for Justice and Equality to take account of recommendations from the Law Reform Commission on the Statute of Limitations. I may have a legislative vehicle in my Department which will provide for the amalgamation of the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman with Financial Services Ombudsman. I will reconsider the matter in that context.

I am supportive of the general principle and understand the Law Reform Commission's recommendation was that the limitation period run for two years from the time one became aware of the flaw in the product. Something along these lines is appropriate, but the Bill before the committee is the wrong vehicle for it. In the absence of a commitment from the Minister for Justice and Equality to legislate on the generality of the Law Reform Commission's recommendations, I will look for an appropriate legislative vehicle originating in my Department in which to include a provision along the lines suggested by Deputy Michael McGrath.