Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for Finance if the collection of levies from intermediary firms for the Financial Services Ombudsman's Bureau was put out to public tender; the position regarding the situation; the reason a company (details supplied) are making those collections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11383/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Financial Services Ombudsman's Bureau is an independent body established under the Central Bank Act 1942 (as amended). The Financial Services Ombudsman Council was established under the same Act to, inter alia, prescribe guidelines under which the Financial Services Ombudsman is to operate, determine the levies and charges payable and keep under review the efficiency and effectiveness of the Bureau. As Minister for Finance, I have no function in relation to the operation of the Ombudsman's Bureau. However, my Department has been advised that the contract referred to in the Deputy's question was awarded following a public tendering process.