Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

Everyone in the House would recognise that the decision to use dormant accounts for the public benefit was very positive. However, there were and are concerns regarding the Bill itself. The amount in question, some €200 million, means that new structures have had to be introduced, but the major concern is how that fund will be used. Will it be used as a slush fund? Genuine concerns and fears remain about public accountability. Many of us feel that there are back doors in the Bill regarding public accountability. Many of the issues that Members tried to tease out concerned the accountability of the board and its chair. We still have not received answers regarding how we make the board more accountable. Attempts are made in the Bill, but I am not convinced that they are strong enough. There certainly are concerns about how the board is selected or elected and that the money will be used as some sort of slush fund for the next election.

The view has been expressed that this will solve all our problems regarding inequality; it will not do that. In many communities it is seen as a top-up or as something that they had desired for many years but were denied by successive Governments. Many of the reports examining the areas on which the money will be spent — the RAPID and CLÁR areas — show that they have been neglected by several Governments over the years. To the shame of all politicians and political parties in the State, people live in poverty and children go to school hungry despite our wonderful economy and new millionaires.

There are concerns about the Bill itself. Many of the amendments that I tabled were ruled out of order. The Ceann Comhairle said that they were against the principle of the Bill. Clearly, there were concerns about that. I listened to the Minister and the assurances that he has given regarding how accountable the new legislation will be. I am not sure about that, but there is concern regarding accountability, the board itself and how the money is to be spent in the run-up to the general election. No doubt the Minister will get this Bill passed, but there is still great concern, and he has not addressed it.

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