Results 8,141-8,160 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: In view of the fact that we had a short break since we discussed the amendment last night, the issue——

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: Yes, but I will be brief.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 50: In page 13, line 33, after "functions" to insert ", subject to the approval of the Minister". I have tabled this amendment because I feel the Minister should have to approve the hiring by the agency of consultants or advisers to help it to perform its functions. Over the last couple of days, I have been anxious to include in the Bill extra provisions to ensure the...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I note the points made by Deputy Broughan and by the Minister. Deputy Broughan and I spent many years on the Committee of Public Accounts and we learned a great deal. We learned much about allowances, remuneration and expenses for State and semi-State bodies. Serious questions were raised in the committee about how approval was given for consultancies. Arising from those experiences, I...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: This is my second intervention.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I will leave it at that. If the Minister wants to say something, I will deal with it then.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I had not intended to press this amendment, but I now think it might be a wise thing to do. There is no point in complaining about things that I see going wrong without standing over it.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: That is the danger of electronic voting.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 51: In page 13, line 42, after "Minister" to insert "and Dáil Éireann,".

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 52: In page 13, line 46, after "levy" to insert ", as determined from time to time by the Minister".

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 54: In page 14, line 32, after "Finance," to insert the following: "and subject to the approval of Oireachtas Éireann,".

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 55: In page 15, lines 2 and 3, after "subsection (1)" to insert "and subject to the approval of Dáil Éireann".

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 56: In page 15, line 7, after "fit" to insert ", and subject to the approval of Dáil Éireann". It implies the same principle as the previous vote.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 59: In page 15, line 23, after "Minister" where it firstly occurs to insert "and Dáil Éireann,". These are all the same.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 60: In page 15, line 31, to delete "after" and substitute "before". The Minister shall ensure that a superannuation scheme approved under this section, including an amendment of the scheme, is laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as practicable after it is approved. It might be no harm to insert the words "before it is approved". It is debatable and the...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I accept the Minister's comments regarding amendment No. 60 and I will not press it. The reason I tabled amendment No. 61 is that we have heard numerous expressions of concern regarding pensions, remuneration and the raiding of pension funds. While the amendment would not prevent such activity, it would introduce a review by the Pensions Board. Anything that could lead to a liability or a...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I do not propose that the House should divide on the amendment but, as Deputy Broughan stated, complaints regarding pension schemes have been brought to the attention of Members over the past number of years. The longer one is a Member, the more instances are brought to one's attention. I am not critical of the Minister but, under the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983,...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 61: In page 15, line 44, after "section" to insert "subject to review by the Pensions Board".

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I support this timely amendment, which is similar to amendments discussed in recent days. It is not an attempt to imply any irregularity. Rather, it is an attempt to protect the agency, the Government and the taxpayer from something unanticipated coming down the tracks. We should remember that the value of the stocks retained by the agency at any given time will be considerable, meaning the...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I note the Minister's reply, but in light of Deputy Broughan's statement, will the Minister elucidate the precise procedure and mechanism to be used in the determination of what constitutes a conflict of interest? Interpretations may vary depending on who is giving the advice. We could all get advice to the effect that we are covered by this provision, but we must double check and...