Bond repayments and ministerial powers
Deputy Mathews calls for debate on ministerial powers and the bond-repayment arrangements after a High Court judgment; the Taoiseach points to the Government’s stated position and the judgment favouring the State.
On ministerial powers and the Government's amendment to the Private Members' motion currently before the House in relation to bond repayments, which deals with the proposed replacement of the promissory notes with long-dated bonds and yesterday's High Court decision by Justices Finlay Geoghegan, Hogan and Kelly, in respect of an appeal taken by Deputy Joan Collins, part of this determination is that the Minister for Finance has the power, without reference to the Dáil or Oireachtas, to enter massive, unlimited financial obligations on behalf of the State. This matter demands debate by this House at an early date. This decision by the High Court has huge implications for the people of Ireland.
