Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)

We have no objection in principle to the Bill, but we intend to put forward at least one and possibly two amendments. We will certainly introduce a technical amendment relating to the practice of accounting for moneys handled by the fund in terms of the contingent liability on the State. Is there a way around having to account for 100% of the moneys as a liability in the national accounts? How long does the money have to sit there before the contingent liability diminishes? Can we find a way of expressing the lesser amount? The Minister indicated that more than €200 million was reclaimed by account holders over the period, representing 218 out of 626, or approximately one third of, account holders.

We should take this opportunity to re-engineer the types of schemes that can be offered. There is no better man than the Minister for knowing what is required in communities. He might, for example, consider offering a 50:50 partnership arrangement to community and voluntary groups which come up with innovative ideas. The various public private partnerships that were agreed in recent years were all large projects involving roads, schools, hospitals and so on. This fund may provide an opportunity to support community alert groups, local voluntary organisations and so on by incentivising them on a 50:50 funding basis. St. Joseph's Foundation in Charleville would be a suitable candidate for such support. It provides a superb service for physically and intellectually disabled people in my constituency and in the north Cork constituencies. It has benefited from the Dormant Accounts Fund over the years through flagship-type projects. We should broaden the scope of the funding to include community and voluntary groups throughout the State.

I agree with the thrust of the provisions which transfer the powers of disbursement from the board to the Minister. For too long my own party was at the forefront of diverting decision making from the relevant Ministers towards third-party quangos. The Minister is right to accept the recommendation in the McCarthy report in this regard. The more of that the better. It is appropriate that Ministers exercise as much responsibility as possible within their role, particularly when it comes to taking decisions.

Is it proposed to have an appeals process directly to the Minister? It is important that he or she be protected from any political charges that may arise. There will inevitably be disappointed applicants and we must provide for that by way of a robust and transparent appeals process.

Fianna Fáil does not intend to oppose the Bill. However, we intend to put forward one or possibly two amendments on Committee Stage.

See this speech in context