Seanad debates

Thursday, 20 October 2011

Dormant Accounts Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages

 

Sections 1 to 15, inclusive agreed to.

Title agreed to.

Bill reported without amendment and received for final consideration.

Question proposed: "That the Bill do now pass."

11:00 am

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I thank Senators for their co-operation on this legislation, for their contributions and for the speedy passing of this essential Bill.

Photo of Caít KeaneCaít Keane (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for bringing this Bill forward in the House. I also wish to record my appreciation of the work done by the members of the outgoing dormant accounts board. They have done the State some service. There has been criticism of people who sit on boards and, perhaps correctly, of people who make a career of it. However, people sit on boards either voluntarily or otherwise and it is no crime to receive a few bob for expenses. We appreciate people who give their time, service and commitment to the State when they are asked to sit on boards.

It is not due to any function of the dormant accounts board that it is being dismantled. The programme for Government deals with quangos and other organisations, but as the dormant accounts fund is reducing there is less need for a board. Indeed, since the 2005 legislation it was decided to bring the fund back within the remit of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government so the board has been superseded. I thank the Minister for the speed with which he is addressing matters within his Department, where he is proceeding with a reduction in the number of agencies from 21 to 12. That process is ongoing.

Photo of Diarmuid WilsonDiarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Minister back to the House for this brief visit. I commend him on his willingness to come to the House to address any issue relating to his brief. I welcome this legislation. The disbandment of the board will mean a saving of between €120,000 and €150,000 per annum, which is welcome. The Minister assured us on Second Stage that an audit is being carried out in the banks to ensure they are complying with the dormant accounts legislation and to ensure they are telling him the truth as to the amount of money in dormant accounts. I also welcome that. I hope some of those audits will be published at some point in the future.

I welcome the work that has already been done by the dormant accounts fund. That work would not have happened without the fund. I hope the fund can continue long into the future.

Photo of Feargal QuinnFeargal Quinn (Independent)
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This legislation sets an example that we could follow in other areas. We should examine legislation that was very sensible when it was enacted not too many years ago and recognise that it or a particular quango it established has served its time and purpose. It is not always necessary to set up organisations and far too many were set up in the past. I encourage the Minister and the Government to say what they will do to reduce many others as well. In many cases the same can be done as was done in this case.

I echo the words of Senator Keane to those who served on that board. It is never comfortable to be appointed to a board and then to be told one is no longer needed. However, that is exactly what happens when one does a good job, and this board has done a good job. I intend shortly to propose that something similar be done in another area. I congratulate the board and the officials who handled this.

Question put and agreed to.

Photo of Denis O'DonovanDenis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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When is it proposed to sit again?

Photo of Maurice CumminsMaurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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At 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 25 October 2011.

12:00 pm

Photo of Denis O'DonovanDenis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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The sitting will be suspended for 15 minutes and will resume with the Adjournment debate.

Sitting suspended at 11.55 a.m. and resumed at 12.10 p.m.