Central Bank legislation
Mattie McGrath asks about coordination over the Central Bank (Consolidation) Bill and criticises related Government policy, with an intervening comment on maternal-life legislation. The Taoiseach says the banking Bill’s supervision provisions are due this week and the consolidation Bill will follow, while also defending the need for maternal-life legislation.
In light of the very honest and open interview by Marian Finucane of a certain Edmund Honohan last week, is there any chance that the Taoiseach will get the two Honohan brothers, including the eminent Mr. Honohan of the Central Bank, together in respect of the Central Bank (Consolidation) Bill?
They might understand that what one is advising is totally contrary to the policies of the Central Bank and what is proposed by the Government in terms of the repossession of second and family homes, which the Government said was sacrosanct and would be exempt from any type of tax.
The genie is out of the bottle in terms of the title of the Bill. According to the Taoiseach, it will be titled the Protection of Maternal Life Bill. Prior to the election, he promised in a letter that he would not introduce abortion under any circumstances. Many of his supporters countrywide have been telling me "Enda will not do this and Enda will not do that: we know Enda, he will not do it." The Bill is now listed on the Government's legislative programme and will come before the House prior to the summer recess. This legislation is a red herring.
Comment on this
Surely anybody who is suicidal is not in a position to make life decisions, be it in relation to abortion or anything else. What is being propagated in this regard is a farce. The Taoiseach will have to face the people on this too.
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The Central Bank (Consolidation) Bill. The Honohan brothers might get together and give the Taoiseach some advice.
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I might pass on Deputy McGrath's request to them.
The supervision and enforcement element of the banking Bill is due before the House this week. The Central Bank (Consolidation) Bill will follow when that has been completed.
On the other matter mentioned by the Deputy, following enactment of the maternal life protection Bill the law will not have changed but the necessary legal clarity and certainty for medical personnel who must intervene on behalf of women and their unborn children when complexities in pregnancies arise will be in place. It is necessary to deal with that issue. The legislation will provide certainty, clarity and understanding in terms of what is involved in this matter.