Violence against women and banking inquiry
Deputy Adams asks about an EU strategy and Irish legislation on violence against women, and seeks progress on the banking inquiry legislation. The Taoiseach has no date for the former and promises an update on the inquiry.
In 2010 the EU promised a strategy to tackle violence against women but there is still no sign of it. Is the Government using the EU Presidency to push for this? When can we expect legislation?
On promised legislation, I want to ask the Taoiseach about the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2012. As he knows, this Bill may lead to the long-awaited parliamentary inquiry into the banking crisis. He might have seen the RTE programme last night on Irish Nationwide, a building society which went completely out of control and left a debt of €5.4 billion for the taxpayers to pick up, and which the Government ensured last week we will have to pay for the next 40 years. Citizens expect to be told about the deal Fianna Fáil made with Michael Fingleton on his €1 million pay-off and they are also entitled to know about the accountancy and auditing firms. When will this legislation come forward?