Thank you, Deputy. We now move to No. 6, which is the presentation by the Pensions Board on its role and functions. I welcome Mr. Brendan Kennedy, the chief executive officer, Mr. Philip Dalton, head of DC supervision, Ms Mary Hutch, head of DB supervision, Mr. David Malone, head of information, and Mr. Andrew Nugent, assistant head of policy of the Pensions Board. I draw attention to the fact that members of the committee have absolute privilege but the same privilege does not apply to witnesses appearing before the committee. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House, or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I invite Mr. Kennedy to brief the committee on the role and functions of the Pensions Board.
Role and Functions: Discussion with Pensions Board.
Mr. Brendan Kennedy
In the interests of time, I will quickly go through the statement, copies of which have been supplied to members. I thank the Vice Chairman and committee members for giving us the opportunity to explain the role and functions of the Pensions Board. We had a good working relationship with the previous committee and recognise the importance of this forum. We look forward to building a good relationship with this committee.
I will give a brief overview of the work of the board and then outline some of the key challenges we are dealing with at present. I will also be very happy to answer any questions committee members may have. As the committee is aware, Ireland --
I apologise to Mr. Kennedy, but could I interrupt for one second? I am very conscious of the fact that these people have been waiting outside for two hours and 20 minutes and there is no Government representative present at this meeting, apart from the Vice Chairman. How does the Vice Chairman intend to proceed? I do not think rushing through this item in ten minutes will do justice to the Pensions Board. I am interested in the Vice Chairman's view on this.
I did not have a remit as far as rushing the item was concerned. I have been asked to take the Chair and am in members' hands as far as the time is concerned. I am just as sensitive as Deputy Shortall to the delay and to the fact that I am the only Government member here. Unfortunately, however, I do not have control over that. I am in the members' hands and have no intention of rushing the Pensions Board. I did not say that.
I know that, but most of us reckoned that we would be spending two and a half hours here and that the meeting would be over by 5 p.m. Some members have other commitments and must go. It smacks of very bad manners, at least, to the Pensions Board and is no way to handle this issue. In that context, I wonder what is the best thing to do. I will not be able to stay here much later than 5 p.m. I do not know about other members.
I have been presented with the situation and am just as sensitive about what Deputy Shortall has said. I do not disagree with her and am conscious of the fact that we are where we are at this time. Again, the --
It is a major new area. We have been dealing with other issues this afternoon and the issue of pensions is very important and complex.
Do you have any advice, Mr. Kennedy?
Mr. Brendan Kennedy
Obviously, it is in your hands, Vice Chairman, but we are more than happy to come back on a different day if you wish to give the matter more attention. We are happy to do whatever suits the committee.
It is simply that once 5 p.m. comes, people will be slipping away to other engagements. There is very little time.
I share Deputy Shortall's view. I am annoyed on behalf of the witnesses, who have been waiting since 2.30 p.m. We tried, to be fair to members on this side of the House, to have the last two presentations taken together but the Chairman would not allow it.
The then Chairman.
Yes, the then Chairman. That would have speeded things up considerably and we would not have found ourselves in our current position. We cannot win either way. I am also aware that for the witnesses to return on another day will use up more of their time. It would mean giving up another afternoon.
Mr. Brendan Kennedy
Genuinely, when I say we are happy to help, I mean that. If it would suit the committee members better for us to come back, we will do that.
That would be more satisfactory.
If members are happy --
Yes, but it should be the first, if not the only item on the agenda that day.
The clerk has advised me that is possible but it might be some time before we can arrange it. I presume members are making the point that we would like this presentation to be rescheduled as quickly as possible.
Is it possible to move some of the groups who have requested a slot with the committee back by a week or two? The pensions issue is extremely important and we must deal with it urgently, given that the Green Paper --
I share Deputy Enright's view and will recommend to the Chairman that we do as she suggests, namely, invite the Pensions Board to return at the earliest possible opportunity. The issue that was raised earlier should be revisited. I am not being disloyal to the Chairman when I say that. I am also a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, which has decided to carry out its business in that way, because it is more effective. I do not want to be disloyal, but had the Chairman agreed to that request, it would have prevented this situation from arising. Is it agreed, without upsetting anybody, that we will postpone this presentation? I will recommend to the Chairman that we reschedule it as soon as is practical. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Mr. Brendan Kennedy
We are happy to do that. If there are specific topics which the members wish us to raise, in addition to a general overview --
Can we spend a minute on that question, Deputy?
I have not read the presentation yet. I would like to read it and then --
If colleagues have views, they might convey them to the clerk, who will convey them to the Pensions Board. I stress again that I am recommending to the Chairman that this session is reconvened as soon as possible.
I suggest that members revert to the clerk within one week on specific areas that we would like to discuss with the board.
Yes. I will ask the clerk to convey that to all members of the committee. I apologise once again.