Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

When will the amending legislation necessary for changes in the lending limits of credit unions be introduced?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am not aware that legislation has been promised. As the Deputy knows, that industry is regulated by the credit union regulator and an advisory council advises me on these matters as well. We have sought advice from those bodies on what the situation should be. It is not a simple issue, but we will deal with it with due consideration.

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The first matter I wish to raise concerns the fact that we will have no facility to ask parliamentary questions over the recess, even though the Ministers and the Civil Service will still be working. Everything will stop with regard to all the matters with which we want to deal. We cannot deal with them until we return in September because no questions will be answered. This is a major problem.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Has the Deputy a question?

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My question relates to a second matter. A letter in The Irish Times yesterday sought information on alleged price fixing by the major oil companies in Roscommon. Is there any legislation to deal with that? The Competition Authority has tried to deal with it, but it is still happening.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is legislation promised?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Competition Authority is in place to deal with all allegations on price fixing.

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

May I ask a final brief question?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We cannot have a debate on these issues. We have moved well away from the Order of Business.

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My final query concerns Tweedswood Limited. It was overcharged €466,000——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We cannot discuss that on the Order of Business. There are other ways to raise the matter.

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The bank has admitted overcharging ——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I ask Deputy Cowley to allow Deputy Durkan to contribute. He has been waiting very patiently all morning.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am a very patient man, as the Ceann Comhairle knows. At Question Time yesterday, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, was a little coy about when the Deloitte & Touche report would be published. Perhaps the Minister for Finance will have more information as he is located in a constituency with considerable interest in the energy area. Will the report be published before the circulation of the single electricity market Bill?

I ask my next question by way of being helpful and hope it will help address the communication issue between the backbenchers on the Government side of the House and the Ministers. Would it be possible to bring forward the electronic communications (miscellaneous provisions) Bill to offer a two-way system and equality of communication in both directions on the Government side of the House? It might help alleviate any tensions that might erupt over the summer and calm the troubled waters on that side so that everybody goes home in a happy state of mind.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That Bill will be published within the next few weeks. With regard to the other matter, the question of when or if reports are published is a matter to be decided by the line Minister concerned. There is no requirement for the publication of reports that advise Ministers on Bills being prepared. That particular report has definite market sensitivity in terms of the information available.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Has the Minister seen it?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Of course I have seen it.