Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)

We have raised the issue of share-based remuneration for a number of years in terms of restricting the measure to SMEs. We have since had the reports. In the finance committee, I mentioned that we have waited for four years for the Credit Review Bill to be given a statutory footing. It was announced on 6 July by Government that Cabinet had approved putting the Credit Review Bill on a statutory footing. Today, we finally had Committee Stage, which coincided with the Finance Bill. It is ridiculous that this is happening four years later.

The slow pace of Government is frustrating. What was more frustrating was that just as we were on section 2, the Finance Bill clashed with it, which was a major problem for me because my amendments had to lapse. It is an example, with respect, of a Government decision with press all over the place. Everybody reported it and agreed with the Credit Review Bill being put on a statutory footing; there is no issue there. I had ideas to strengthen the Bill, but it took four years to bring it to Committee Stage and it will probably not pass into law until next year, which is really frustrating.

I have raised the issue of share-based remuneration over a long period. The Department has had a report for a couple of years. Why does it take so long to make the decisions that are required? Decisions have to be made. I understand the Minister is new to the brief and all the rest, but his party has been in government and he has been in senior positions during those times. It is very frustrating. The public constantly tell me that it is frustrating that the Government takes so long to make decisions and effect change. Saying that the Government will not accept the amendment because it is considering a report which was published a year and a half ago is an example of a Government go-slow.

See this speech in context