Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Minister for Finance has outlined on a number of occasions that a few Central Bank Bills will be brought forward this year. We are currently dealing with the first of them. The next Bill, the No. 2 Bill, relates to many of the matters being raised by the Deputy. The consultation paper drawn up by the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator will be an excellent input into that and further consultation and any comments people have will be taken into account as well. Work is ongoing on the second Bill the Minister has indicated will form part of his Central Bank reforms, the first of which we are dealing with at the moment. I have not studied the Bill to which the Deputy referred but the ongoing work in the Department of Finance will enable the Minister to come forward with a Government Bill in due course. He has indicated it will be some time during the year.

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