Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 120: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his legislative priorities for the 30th Dáil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17159/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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My specific legislative priorities will be formulated in the context of the implementation of the Programme for Government over the coming years. It may be helpful, however, to set out a list of current legislative priorities for my Department:—

Bills Published

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2007

This Bill provides for the amendment of Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999. This Bill has been published and is to be considered by the Dáil before the summer recess.

Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Bill 2007

This Bill provides for the increase in the number of Ministers of State who may be appointed by the Government under Section 1(1) of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1977. This Bill has been published and is to be considered by the Dáil before the summer recess.

Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007

While the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive has been transposed by Statutory Instrument (S.I. 60 of 2007), some complementary adjustments require primary legislation through this Bill. The Bill is also being availed of to make necessary technical amendments to various Acts. This Bill is to be restored to the Dáil Order Paper by way of a Government Chief Whip's Motion.

Ethics in Public Office (Amendment) Bill 2007

The main purpose of this Bill is to amend the Ethics in Public Office Acts so as to require office holders and Oireachtas members to seek the opinion of the Standards in Public Office Commission before accepting significant benefits from a friend for personal reasons. The Bill is currently on the Seanad Order Paper.

Bills yet to be Published

Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill

The purpose of the Bill is to widen the remit of the Ombudsman to include a range of additional bodies and to make provision regarding administrative procedures. Publication is expected in the latter half of 2007.

Financial Services Regulation Bill

The purpose of this Bill is to consolidate and simplify financial services legislation in accordance with the Government's Better Regulation agenda. An advisory Forum is being established to assist and advise the Department in the completion of this project. It is currently envisaged that Heads of Bill will be delivered one year after the establishment of the Forum, currently scheduled for the third quarter of 2007.