Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

One of the recommendations in the DIRT report was that dormant accounts in financial institutions ought to be transferred to the Exchequer to be administered for socially beneficial purposes. This recommendation was taken on board by the Minister for Finance in the 2001 Act when he provided for the establishment of an independent board that would disburse this money in accordance with stated objectives to assist people who are socially, educationally and economically disadvantaged, including people with disabilities. The board was duly appointed and statutory provision was made to permit the Minister to direct and issue guidelines.

Notwithstanding that, after the Dáil closed for the Christmas recess, a couple of days before Christmas, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, issued a statement saying that he would take over the administration of this fund of in excess of €100 million.

How can the Taoiseach justify the Minister intervening to use these moneys, which were not the State's moneys, as a further political slush fund in the way that the lottery funds have been disbursed down the years? When will this legislation promised by the Minister on 19 December be brought before the House? No doubt it will be in time for the local elections.

These were moneys taken over from the financial institutions from the funds of people with dormant accounts. They were meant to be used for socially beneficial reasons in disadvantaged communities. Now we find that having appointed the board, the Minister is not happy and will assert his right to disburse these moneys.

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