Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Solomon would not have the answers to all the queries I hear every day on the Order of Business. Several speakers referred to the proposed banking inquiry, and rightly so, following a number of queries yesterday regarding the potential participation of Members of this House in any inquiry.

At the request of a number of Members of the House, I wrote to the Government Whip, the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, yesterday as follows:

I am writing to you regarding the proposed Oireachtas inquiry into banking matters.
Prior to membership being decided, I would ask you to consider nominating an appropriate number of Senators to this Committee of Inquiry.
The matter was raised with me today by a number of members of the House, from all parties and I undertook to raise the matter with you.
I would be grateful for a reply at your earliest convenience.

That was sent yesterday at 2 p.m. The Minister of State only received it this morning and so I have not had any response as yet from him. I echo the words of a number of speakers this morning. I do not believe it will be possible to find a person in the country who has not made a remark about the banks - and rightly so - in the past five or ten years. While the legal advice might be to exclude people who made comments on banks, I believe common sense should apply. What the people need at this stage is common sense rather than legal jargon. The people want us to get to the bottom of what happened. We need the right people who are best qualified to sit on that committee of inquiry. It would be my wish that some Members of this House would be included on that inquiry team.

Senator Darragh O'Brien and others raised the question of the anniversary of the death of Detective Garda Donohoe. I am sure we are all thinking of his widow and family at this time. Like other Senators I urge anyone with any information to come forward. The Garda is dedicating all the resources necessary in order to bring the perpetrators of this vile crime to justice, as is the wish of every right-thinking person in the State and beyond.

Senator Whelan raised the issue of charities. This is the third day this week that it has been raised in the House and rightly so. It was also raised last week. The recent revelations about certain organisations in the charity sector have understandably damaged public trust and confidence as alluded to by a number of Members this morning. The commencement of the key measures in the Charities Act will provide the increased transparency and accountability to allow trust to be rebuilt. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, will issue a call next week for expressions of interest from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for appointment to the board of the new charities regulatory authority with a view to making appointments before Easter to allow the authority to come into operation at that time. Arrangements are also being made to fill the post of CEO of the new authority on an interim basis by the end of February. I hope that updates all the Members who were seeking that this would happen as a matter of urgency. I can assure them the Minister is acting accordingly.

Senators Whelan and Kelly spoke about the changes in the EU energy policy announced by the Commission. They called for a debate and a review of the Government's position on the matter. I will invite the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resource, Deputy Rabbitte, to come to the House to discuss the effects the European Commission's proposed changes will have on Government policy.

Senator Barrett made comments on the banking inquiry and I have dealt with that matter. Senator Comiskey welcomed the road grants. Local authorities will welcome the 15% flexibility that has been afforded to them. In the past local authorities were concerned over the rigidity in how they could spend those road grants. The flexibility afforded to them will be welcomed.

Senator MacSharry also spoke about the banking inquiry. I also note his points on mortgage arrears. I have addressed that matter previously.

Senator Kelly spoke about the energy policy and also called for a review of the operation of the insolvency legislation. I believe we should give it some more time before having a debate on its effectiveness.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh spoke about social housing and homelessness. I hope to have the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, in the House in the coming weeks to address that matter. I also note Senator Hayden's comment in that regard. Senator Ó Clochartaigh also sought a debate on the ambulance service. I hope the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, will come to the House soon to address a number of health matters. He has been requested on a number of occasions to come to the House.

I also note Senator Conway's points about charities. I believe I addressed that in my earlier response on the matter. Also on charities, with respect, I think Senator Leyden was acting the maggot in what he was saying.