Banking inquiry legislation
John Deasy asks that the Houses of the Oireachtas inquiries Bill be prioritised to facilitate a banking inquiry. The Taoiseach says its heads will soon go to Government and publication is hoped for this session.
I would like to ask the Taoiseach about the Houses of the Oireachtas inquiries Bill, which provides a framework for Oireachtas inquiries, including a banking inquiry. It is listed in section C of the Government's legislative programme, which means the heads of the Bill have not been approved by the Government. The Bill will probably not be dealt with until 2013, which will be five years after the bank guarantee of 2008. If a banking inquiry is to occur, as promised in the programme for Government, it needs to be given some legislative priority. If the inquiry is delayed further, there is a danger that it will lose its usefulness.
Comment on this
I can confirm to the Deputy that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform will bring the heads of the Bill to the Government in the next few weeks. It will then move onto section A of the list. I hope we can have it published, at least, in this session. We will ensure it gets every priority.