Vol. 523 No. 1
452 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance the proposals for legislation being prepared under the auspices of his Department where heads have not yet been approved by the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19591/00]
My Department has begun preparing heads of a Bill in relation to the following areas.
Dormant Accounts Bill – the purpose of this Bill is to enable the transfer of funds in dormant accounts in financial institutions and matured but unclaimed life assurance policies to the care of the State.
Financial Services (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill – the purpose of this Bill is to provide for numerous miscellaneous amendments to existing Central Bank, Stock Exchange, etc., legislation dealing with the financial services sector.
Euro Changeover Bill – the purpose of this Bill is to provide in law as necessary for convenient amounts in euro.
Audit of allowances of parliamentary party leaders – legislation is also in preparation to provide for audit of allowances of parliamentary party leaders.
In addition to the above, I will present two annual Bills to Government for approval.
(i) The Appropriation Bill 2000 – this Bill gives statutory effect to the 2000 Estimates as approved by the Dáil, at the end of the year when all Supplementary Estimates have been approved.
(ii) The Finance Bill – this Bill gives statutory effect to the 2001 budget changes.
453 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance the proposals for legislation being prepared under the auspices of his Department where heads have been approved by the Government; the expected date of publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19606/00]
The following proposals for legislation are being prepared by my Department where heads have been approved by Government.
State Banks Bill – the purpose of this Bill is to increase the authorised share capital limit for ICC and ACC banks, to provide for the future sale of both banks and to provide as necessary for the sale of TSB.
Current position: The Bill is being drafted by the parliamentary draftsman. Publication of the Bill is expected in early/mid-October.
Ordnance Survey Bill – the purpose of the Bill is to enable the Ordnance Survey (OS) to be established as a State agency with the primary aim of allowing it to enter into commercial contracts.
Current Position: It is expected that the text of the Bill will be ready for publication in early 2001.
Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill – the main purpose of this Bill is to extend the remit of the Ombudsman to include non-commercial semi-States, county enterprise boards and public voluntary hospitals. It also includes provisions specifying impartial treatment and fairness and allows for use of Irish.
Current Position: It is expected that the text of the Bill will be ready for publication in early 2001.
