Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

I wish to mention an article in The Irish Times today with the headline "Arthur Cox appointed banking adviser without tender". The matter was raised in the House before. This firm is advising NAMA following a tender which was recently awarded. It is also advising the Minister for Finance, Bank of Ireland and developers on NAMA. I am not sure we have learned any lessons in regard to independence, avoiding conflicts of interest and having the same people carry out the same type of work and make decisions on our behalf.

There is a serious question mark over the Minister retaining this firm without any new public tender. It is wrong and is contrary to EU public procurement rules. Last September there was justification for engaging this firm on grounds of urgency and one can avoid the full rigours of EU public tendering requirements in such circumstances. However, to continue that contract with, or to award a new contract to, that company without a tender is completely in breach of EU law. I ask that the Minister for Finance address that issue on the next occasion he comes to the House.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is attempting to restrict legally held firearms in the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous) Provisions Bill 2009 which is going through the Lower House currently and will come back to us. That will disrupt a sport in which no problems have arisen. Many people enjoy this sport and have procedures to safeguard their arms which are licensed.

The Minister for Defence cannot safeguard firearms in the custody of the State. Grenades and a gun have been stolen from Limerick Army barracks. It is unfortunate that such an incident can occur. Will the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform identify what other arms of this nature in the custody of the State have disappeared in this way?