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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Pyrite Resolution Board

Summary

Senator O’Brien asks when the statutory pyrite resolution board will be established; intervening remarks concern his call for an inquiry.

What is the current position with regard to the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013, which was passed by both Houses in the week leading up to the Christmas recess? When does the Minister plan to implement the legislation and establish the resolution board on a statutory footing? Our job in respect of this matter is done. However, it is 5 February and people are wondering whether a decision has been made with regard to the date on which the Minister will formally establish the board in order that it might begin to accept applications. Will the Leader outline the up-to-date position on this matter?

Immediately after the Christmas recess I requested a debate with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, on sport and the funding and development thereof, particularly in the context of national organisations. Is the Leader in a position to provide an update on that matter?

The Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Kehoe, will be coming before the House later for the debate in respect of No. 2 on the Order Paper, which is a motion relating to Standing Orders that govern Oireachtas inquiries. I do not believe that the hour allocated will be sufficient for that debate. Is there any indication as to whether the Seanad will be represented on the banking inquiry? The motion sets out the Standing Orders that will apply in respect of the committee that will carry out the inquiry. There are flaws in the motion and these must be debated, as must the remit of the inquiry. I am of the view that there is expertise available in this House which should be used in the context of the inquiry. My party's Whip has not been contacted by the Government Chief Whip regarding the membership of the committee. Perhaps the Government Whip in this House, Senator Paul Coghlan, has been in contact with the latter. The Senator is very well got with the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe.

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The Senator is having great fun.

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As stated previously, Senator Paul Coghlan is probably the only Member of this House who could serve on the inquiry because he is the only one of us who has not been critical of the banks during the past four or five years.

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Easy now. The Senator should not get carried away.

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