Results 261-280 of 3,356 for speaker:Feargal Quinn

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (28 May 2003)

Feargal Quinn: The amendment is being withdrawn with leave to reintroduce it on Report Stage. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Government amendment No. 41: In page 45, line 21, after "concerned" to insert "or an employee of any subsidiary of the company concerned or of a subsidiary undertaking of the undertaking concerned". Amendment agreed to. Government amendment No. 42: In page 45, to delete lines 34 and...

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (28 May 2003)

Feargal Quinn: I have great difficulty with this. I was delighted to hear Senator O'Toole's argument and what he was trying to achieve. What we are all trying to achieve is something with which nobody could disagree. I strongly believe this compliance statement will be cumbersome, costly and, in most cases, ineffective. Directors will be required, under threat of a statutory offence, to certify that their...

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (28 May 2003)

Feargal Quinn: I apologise for being late and I thank Senator Coghlan for taking my place. My point was that the main job of a director is to make sure the company succeeds by bringing entrepeneurship and good business practice to the company. He must also do the job of policeman and ensure the company does not break the law. However, we are giving directors onerous responsibilities. I was relieved to hear...

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (28 May 2003)

Feargal Quinn: I do not want to repeat myself but it is obvious that Senator Mooney did not hear me when I reported that the OECD stated that there was a need— (Interruptions).

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (28 May 2003)

Feargal Quinn: I am amazed that the regulatory impact assessment, regarding which I spoke and received no response, has been ignored in this case, yet the Government declared it would issue a White Paper to ensure that no legislation would be enacted without a regulatory impact assessment. This was pointed out by the OECD in 2001. It must be pointed out to Senator Mooney that he is saying exactly what I am...

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (28 May 2003)

Feargal Quinn: The only thing one can do is get in an expert consultant for each of those areas. The cost would be outrageous for a company. This will only apply to companies registered in Ireland. It will not apply to their competitors registered outside Ireland. I am frightened at the implications of this. I am delighted to hear Senator O'Toole has recognised that the words may be too strong and that they...

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (28 May 2003)

Feargal Quinn: I just want the Minister of State to put my mind at rest. I assume these proposals about compliance will apply to Departments, State-sponsored bodies and local authorities. For example, when a person becomes a member of a local authority they will be accepting compliance.

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (28 May 2003)

Feargal Quinn: Why not?

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (28 May 2003)

Feargal Quinn: It is one law for one person and one law for another. It applies to those who create the wealth of the nation but not others.

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (28 May 2003)

Feargal Quinn: The Minister of State did not reply on the issue of State-sponsored bodies. I assume the Bill applies to them.

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (28 May 2003)

Feargal Quinn: A Chathaoirligh—

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (28 May 2003)

Feargal Quinn: I oppose the section. While I will not go over the issues again as we have covered this in great detail, I am disappointed. We have had very good Second Stage and Committee Stage debates but, as far as I can see, not one point has been taken. I am not sure of the point of having a Seanad if the Government simply listens to us and then brings the Bill to the Dáil. We might as well be clear on...

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (28 May 2003)

Feargal Quinn: In financial matters.

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (28 May 2003)

Feargal Quinn: No.

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (28 May 2003)

Feargal Quinn: I suggest that we do not take Report Stage tomorrow. I was pleased that the Minister of State indicated his intention to carefully consider the proposed amendments tabled by Senators and make changes to the Bill. I have the impression that it will not be possible to give attention to the Bill before tomorrow. I urge the Minister of State to reconsider and take Report Stage at a later date,...

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (28 May 2003)

Feargal Quinn: The Minister of State listened with attention to our contributions and indicated that he would consider the points we made. He mentioned the Lower House on half a dozen occasions during the debate. If his intention is not to accept any amendments on Report Stage tomorrow, it would be much better to wait until he has considered the contributions made in the House during the Second Stage and...

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (28 May 2003)

Feargal Quinn: While I understand the Minister of State's point, the purpose of the Seanad is to provide Senators with an opportunity to hold Second Stage and Committee Stage debates and to give the relevant Minister sufficient time to consider the points made during the debates before taking Report Stage. If the Minister of State is indicating that he will not have time to give much attention to the...

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (28 May 2003)

Feargal Quinn: It would be helpful if the Minister of State would indicate when he intends to introduce the Bill in the Dáil. I was given the impression from his earlier comments that he intended to do so after the summer recess, in which case there is no hurry and we will have time to take Report Stage at a later date.

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (28 May 2003)

Feargal Quinn: If it is not likely to be concluded before the summer recess—

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (28 May 2003)

Feargal Quinn: —we should not debate it tomorrow. I assume that the way to proceed is to wait until the Order of Business tomorrow, when I will make the case that it would be disrespectful to the House to consider taking a large number of Report Stage amendments. The House accepted all the Government amendments, whereas not one non-Government amendment was accepted. The Minister of State is now giving the...