Results 11,281-11,300 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I take the point the Deputy is making, but it would be a matter for the primary legislation setting up the body. The regulations and laws in regard to the body would apply. That is the issue and not this legislation. This legislation only enables the Minister to ask NewERA to advise. If one examined each body to get the facts on all the relevant issues from the line Department, one could...

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Every case is different.

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: There has been legislation. I am trying to be helpful. Legislation on the sale was debated in the House because the law required that there would have to be a full debate when that body was set up. Other bodies were able to sell portions of property without such legislation going through the Oireachtas. In no case was there not a debate.

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Exactly.

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: May I make one final contribution?

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Only if he or she has the legal authority to do so under existing legislation relating to the specific body.

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: If that authority does not exist in primary legislation, it cannot be done.

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Deputies have posed many good questions. As I have addressed this issue earlier, I do not propose to respond to all of the different issues raised. Taking the last point first, whatever powers exist in the legislation establishing the designated body, which powers differ in respect of each agency, are the only powers that currently exist. The Minister cannot do anything which supersedes or...

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: To be helpful to the Deputy, the regulation applies under the Ethics in Public Office Act. It is obliged in that respect under the Act.

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The National Treasury Management Agency is subject to the Ethics in Public Office Act and specific disclosures of interest provisions are set out in the Bill. The members of the NTMA will be designated directors under the Ethics in Public Office Act and required to make annual disclosures of interest statements under same. These statements are made to the Standards in Public Office...

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is clear that people must register their interests. Some individuals who will serve on the board will not be natives of this country or will work abroad, but we will want to be able to avail of their specialist expertise. It is appropriate that their interests be declared on a register, but this need not be in the public domain. I see no conflict between this measure and what we want to...

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am not looking at the notes, I am looking at the Bill.

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is no problem.

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Common sense applies here. If there is a court case or if there are issues and a dispute, we resolve them, if necessary by going to the High Court. No High Court judge would look favourably on anyone who was obfuscating and refusing to answer proper and germane questions in respect of their role. At the same time they would also have to recognise and acknowledge the fact that if there were...

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (8 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: On a serious point, a pensioner or representative of a pensioner could be included if he or she met some of the other requirements. They are not mutually exclusive. In other words, while one might bring the required skills to the table, any other skills one might bring would be important also. Some of the categories mentioned by the Deputy are not excluded.

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (8 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have made the point and will leave it at that.

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (8 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Amendment No. 3 would have the effect of deleting subsection (3) of the new section 6B. This would remove the provision that the chairperson and chief executive cannot be required to give an account before an Oireachtas committee about matters that have been or might be before a court or tribunal, as well as the resolution procedure - this is very important - that allows the High Court to...

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (8 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: What we are dealing with is the advisory board. We have tried to ensure that members of the agency will be well qualified in relevant areas in light of the wide range of functions entrusted to the agency. Notwithstanding some of the constructive points made, I am reluctant to define those areas too closely, as things change over time. I would also note that board members will be appointed...

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (8 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have read it. It sets out the errors of the ways of socialism as defined by our good friend Uncle Joe Stalin. I am unable to accept this amendment on the basis that what is provided for is adequate and proper, particularly in terms of the significant knowledge that the members will be required to have.

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (8 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Some people are missing the point. I repeat what I said earlier, namely, that NewERA does not have any executive functions in its own right. In other words, it advises but does not execute; nor does it not take unto itself any power. It was established in an advisory capacity as a source of dedicated corporate finance expertise to be made available to relevant Ministers. It is open to...