Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Darragh O'Brien referred to a meeting with the Taoiseach which he read about in the newspapers. I met the Taoiseach about a fortnight ago and he told me letters would be issued to the leaders inviting them to a meeting, but I have heard nothing since. I have been told there will be a meeting on Wednesday but I have not been made aware of it; nor have the leaders. I will find out for the Senators after the Order of Business what the situation is but it is short notice if a meeting is to take place on Wednesday morning. However, the last time I had a conversation with the Taoiseach was about a fortnight ago and he said letters would issue to leaders, but I understand that has not happened.

Senator Darragh O'Brien made very serious allegations of corruption and impropriety in NAMA and asked if the Garda Commissioner had been requested to investigate allegations of corruption. I am not aware of any such allegations - nor am I aware of whether the Garda Commissioner has been requested to investigate such allegations - but I will certainly bring the matter to the attention of the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance after the Order of Business. I do not propose to accept the amendment to the Order of Business but I will certainly notify the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance of this.

Senator Bacik referred to the focus on job creation. I agree totally with her in that regard. The focus of the Taoiseach's address was that we must look to the future now and continue the progress that has been made in regard to job creation. The unemployment rate has gone from 16.5% down to 12.5%. Early in the new term in January I will arrange for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, and the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, come to the House to discuss the whole question of job creation.

I note Senator Barrett's comments on the Finance Bill 2013 and his call for a debate on the regulation of financial institutions. I will certainly try to arrange for the Minister to come to the House discuss that matter with us. I note also Senator Barrett's praise for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, in regard to the Phoenix Park tunnel and the low cost of €10 million to solve the transport problems. Perhaps the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, might be willing to discuss that project with us in early January.

Senator Jim D'Arcy referred to the restoration of our economic sovereignty today and complimented the Taoiseach. In his address, the Taoiseach outlined a mid-term economic plan. I will certainly ask him to come to the House when it is introduced so we can have a chat about it.

Senator Daly seconded the amendment to the Order of Business. I agree that we should have full transparency in all matters relating to NAMA. The Senator made allegations previously and he could neither put up nor shut up about them, but I agree with him in regard transparency.

Senators Hayden, Mullins and Coghlan and other Senators referred to the Central Remedial Clinic. This issue has done irreparable damage to the charity sector and is causing major problems in regard to the financing of charities.

On the call for the Minister for Justice and Equality to set up the charities regulation authority, in July the Government approved plans from the Minister for Justice and Equality for the establishment of the charities regulatory authority under the terms of the 2009 Charities Act. The authority is to be an independent State agency under the aegis of the Department of Justice and Equality. In addition to functions set out in the Charities Act relating to the registration and regulation of charities, the authority will also take on the functions of the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests for Ireland. Following the appointment of its members, the authority will operate in shadow form for a period in advance of its formal establishment to allow the necessary systems and procedures be put in place to enable it carry out its statutory functions. Subject to the necessary preparatory work being completed, it is intended that the authority will be formally established in the autumn of 2014. In advancing this process the Minister for Justice and Equality intends, in the near future, to invite expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced persons who wish to be considered for membership of that authority. The Minister is pressing on. Naturally, we would all like that authority to be in place in a shorter time than autumn 2014 but I am sure the Minister is fully aware of the need for such a regulatory authority to be in place sooner rather than later.

Senators Quinn and Wilson raised the possibility that the leaving certificate applied will not be sufficient where Garda recruitment is concerned. That is a serious matter. I agree with both Senators that it is a good qualification. I will certainly make representations to the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister for Education and Skills on that matter because as Senator Quinn mentioned, people who have done the leaving certificate applied course are the type of people who should be considered and should not be debarred by only having that qualification.

Senator Paul Coghlan raised the issue of NAMA and pointed out that NAMA is governed by law and any breach should be thoroughly investigated.

Senator Cullinane, in his state of the nation address this morning, called for a debate on poverty, which we will try to arrange in the new year.

Senator Mullins called for a greater number of jobs in the regions. That is necessary. We have seen a considerable number of job announcements in Dublin, Cork and other areas, which are to be welcomed, and I am sure those jobs will filter into the regions early in the new year.

Senator Mullins also raised the issue of the charities sector. Some of the salaries of the chief executive officers were mentioned in a newspaper article yesterday but quite a number of them were not mentioned. Chief executive officers in the charities sector earning more than €100,000 is a disgrace and it is doing nothing to repair the damage done in respect of the Central Remedial Clinic, CRC.

Senator Eamonn Coghlan made similar points and noted that the staff in particular have been badly hurt by comments made about the CRC and others. The staff are the innocent party in this regard and we should all support the wonderful work the staff are doing in these charities.