Results 65,941-65,960 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

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...

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

Bernard Durkan: Absolutely. Ordinarily, it can be difficult to keep everyone on side, but it will be more difficult to do so in respect of an agency with NORA's type of contacts. For example, it will buy and sell on the global energy market. If the Minister responded to Deputy Broughan's points and elaborated on how the State would be doubly protected, it would assure the House. People of substance must...

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

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 63: In page 17, line 31, after "billion" to insert "unless otherwise provided for". I do not intend to press this amendment because we discussed it on Committee Stage. I accept the explanation given by the Minister at the time. I proposed the insertion of "unless otherwise provided for" because I anticipated circumstances changing dramatically on account of the value of...

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

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 64: In page 18, line 13, after "Finance" to insert "and Dáil Éireann". We discussed this already and the suggestion has been the subject of two or three votes already, so I do not propose to press the amendment.

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

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 65: In page 18, line 28, after "Minister" to insert "and the Standards in Public Office Commission". We discussed similar amendments and it is almost identical to one of Deputy Broughan's. I attempted to identify difficulties that might arise for the State in the future. I will not press the amendment but hope that, having followed this tortuous procedure, we do not...

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

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 66: In page 19, line 16, after "activities" where it firstly occurs to insert the following: "save where such activities are deemed to affect policy". We did not discuss this and I would like the Minister to respond.

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

Bernard Durkan: I accept the Minister's response but policy should always be vested in the Minister. We have, from time to time, expressed our frustration in this House at the lack of accountability of the Minister to the House. It would have been helpful to insert the amendment to tighten up Parliament's supervision of the operation of an agency such as NORA, which, once it is established, will be at a...

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

Bernard Durkan: I support amendments Nos. 69 and 71 in the name of Deputy Broughan. Reference has already been made to what the Minister said on Committee Stage with regard to the fact that adequate provisions have already been made and that we must comply with European regulations in this regard. Notwithstanding this, we are an island nation and are somewhat isolated from the rest of Europe. For that...

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

Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 70: In page 19, line 41, after "functions" to insert "or as may be required". I have spoken on this amendment as it was discussed with amendments Nos. 69 and 71. I will not press it, but it relates to the integrity of the storage capacity. This whole scene is compliant with EU legislative requirements. I remind the House that the EU is not always correct in its...

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

Bernard Durkan: I have spoken only once on it.

Order of Business (9 Nov 2006)

Bernard Durkan: Hear, hear.

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.