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Dáil
‹ Order of Business

IBRC commission legislation

Summary

The Taoiseach explains that he circulated possible legislative heads concerning the IBRC commission and awaits party leaders’ views before Cabinet approval and referral to an Oireachtas committee. Deputy Martin disputes that the Government has approved the proposals and presses for action before dissolution.

Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I do not determine every issue that is discussed in the Dáil.

In regard to the commission of investigation on the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, I wrote to Deputy Martin and the other leaders with a proposition for a possible approach to legislation to address issues relating to the work of the IBRC commission. This followed a request and a set of propositions from Mr. Justice Cregan. One of those propositions was to extend the timeframe of the commission until the end of April 2016. I have granted the judge that in so far as the relevant section of the Act is concerned. I wrote to Deputy Martin and said I was sending him the letter in a confidential manner. The same letter went to Deputy Adams and the other leaders of the different groups. However, it is different in that the Government has actually sent Deputy Martin and the others a proposition in respect of the type of heads of Bill that we would propose to consider, given the proposition that the justice put to us in order that his commission would be able to do its duty. Some of these things are quite complex. I have asked Deputy Martin to respond to that. This is not by any means a secret mission, because once the Government approves the heads, they go to an Oireachtas committee.

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The Government has not approved them.

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

If Deputy Martin read it-----

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

Deputy Martin did not read it. Section 1 referred to a possible approach.

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Exactly. It was "possible", and therefore the Government has not approved it.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

We are not having a debate on this issue.

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

If Deputy Martin read it-----

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

We are now 12 minutes into the Order of Business.

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I said I would welcome their views in response to the attached paper.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Sorry, Deputy. Please.

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

What views has Deputy Martin given me? He has given me none. I said I was also copying the letter to Mr. Justice Cregan following his recommendations.

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The Taoiseach would not have done this only for the fact that we forced him to.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Please, through the Chair.

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I am asking the Taoiseach if he will confirm whether it will be this session, before the House is dissolved. If it is not, we will have to wait for the next Government.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

No, you will not ask anything that is out of order. Thank you. Deputy Adams is entitled to his time and a number of other Deputies have also indicated that they wish to speak.

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

Let me repeat it for Deputy Martin. If he wants to listen, I might be able to give him some information. I said to Deputy Martin that I requested his views on the paper that I circulated. I said they were possible heads for consideration.

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That is neither here nor there.

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I met the leaders of the parties and I asked them for their views. I have now set out the consequence of that in nine heads and I have asked the leaders for their views on the document. Deputy Martin does not seem to want to give me his views. I would appreciate if he would forward them to me.

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The Taoiseach got them last night.

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

The Government will consider the responses from the leaders of the groups and make its decision in approving the heads of a Bill which will then be sent to the Oireachtas committee in the normal fashion. That is a process that was not there before.

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The Dáil is up in two weeks.

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I sent the leaders the possible heads before we approved them at Cabinet level. Thereafter, of course, it is not in any way confidential. It will be public knowledge and everyone here who wants to can find an answer to those questions.

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