Results 9,901-9,920 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (18 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Under the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924, my Department prepares and administers legislation in areas such as commerce, employment rights, occupational safety, health and welfare, competition and consumer rights, chemicals and intellectual property, trade etc. Naturally, in that regard, my Department exercises many regulatory functions. In addition, a number of Offices of my Department,...

Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: It is proposed to take No. 8a, motion re referral to joint committee of the proposed approval by Dáil Éireann for a Council decision on the establishment of the European Criminal Records Information System, ECRIS; No. 8b, motion re referral to joint committee of the proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the establishment...

Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I assumed the objection was to taking both motions without debate. I assume, on the basis of what has been said, that is not the case. The motions need to be put to the House as quickly as possible as the committee is very anxious to discuss them next Tuesday. I have been asked two specific questions, one on the availability of the Anglo Irish Bank report and also the part of the...

Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Yes, when it is available. I have been asked to clarify what will be in the report. I am not familiar with what is in it but I have been advised on the issue of whether the names of the people in question will be disclosed in the report. The names of the ten persons were not disclosed. They are not disclosed to the Taoiseach or the Minister for Finance. It is a matter for the regulator,...

Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The names were not contained in any report to the Minister. The Minister, as a shareholder, has no right to this information.

Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The shareholder in any bank does not have a right to information——

Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Sorry, a Cheann Comhairle, this is very serious.

Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The shareholder in any bank does not have a right to information about customers to that bank. It would completely undermine the confidence of customers generally in Anglo Irish Bank and, therefore, confidence in the bank if the Minister, as a shareholder, could obtain access to confidential information about customers.

Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Therefore, it is important to say, for clarity, that those names will not be available in the public domain. However, it is equally important to say——

Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: ——as the Taoiseach indicated in answers to this House on a number of occasions, as did two colleagues of mine last night and earlier this morning, that neither the Taoiseach nor any member of this Cabinet, nor, for that matter, any Member of this House in any way wants to deter from due process. At the same time, it is very important that, arising from that due process, the full rigour...

Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: No. The legislation is as laid before the House.

Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I would be more than happy to answer questions. However, this is the Order of Business.

Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The first document, the annual report of Anglo Irish Bank, is a public document which will be made available when published. The second document to which the leader of the Labour Party referred is the PricewaterhouseCoopers report which will be laid before the Houses. I assume the documents will be laid before the Houses simultaneously but I will discuss the matter and advise the Deputy of...

Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: As I indicated, the annual report will be published and made available tomorrow. Everyone will be able to read it as it is a public document.

Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: On the other issue, which is not appropriate to the Order of Business, aspersions are being cast on the Taoiseach to the effect that it is inappropriate, as part of our day-to-day work, to have a social occasion or dinner with a particular company or companies, banks or otherwise. This is the normal day-to-day work of the Taoiseach, Minister for Finance and other Cabinet Ministers.

Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I am sure the leaders of the Opposition parties also do what is appropriate.

Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: As the Deputy will be aware, legislation taken in the House yesterday ran on with the unfortunate result that debate on the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill could not commence. Subject to the agreement of the Whips, I understand the legislation will come before the House in the week after next. On compellability, while the Government has not received a request to introduce legislation...

Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I will discuss the position regarding the Student Support Bill with the Minister for Education and Science and revert to the Deputy on the availability of Government amendments. On the education (patronage) Bill, which the Deputy is anxious to have before the House, it is anticipated that heads of the Bill, which are at an advanced stage, will be available this month, with publication...

Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: It will probably be next year before the education legislation is available. I will ask the Minister to revert directly to the Deputy on the two items of secondary legislation.

Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: There is no legislative requirement.