The purpose of this meeting is to consider the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003 which was referred to the select committee by Dáil Éireann on 29 January 2004. I welcome the Minister and his officials.
Before we proceed, I propose the committee meet until 8.30 p.m. for its consideration of the Bill and that, if it has not concluded by then, we will resume discussions on it tomorrow. I also propose we suspend at 5.15 p.m. for 45 minutes. Is that agreed?
No. The Labour Party Whip has just informed me that two Bills relating to finance will be before the House this afternoon, the continued reading of the Public Service Recruitment and Appointments Bill and the European investment bank Bill. That poses considerable difficulties for me and, I expect, other members of the Opposition as we have been given no notice in this regard. We are expected to attend this committee until 8.30 p.m. and are also expected to be the main spokespersons for our parties on the European investment bank Bill. This is not possible. I know the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, played no part in the arrangements, they were made by the Government Chief Whip, but it is disgraceful that such business has been ordered today in the context of today's important discussion. Members are in the Chairman's hands but it is totally unsatisfactory from an Opposition point of view to table major finance business in the House when an important finance Bill is being taken in select committee. We do not have the benefit of bilocation.
The Order Paper was put before the House this morning with none of this previously signposted to Members. Apart altogether from the inconvenience to Deputies who are also members of this committee, others are being bounced around two important Bills with no signalling of the resumption of the Second Stage debate today. I understand no members of this committee were present on the floor of the House when the Chief Whip sought agreement in this regard. This is a very unsatisfactory way to do business and it merits the Chairman's attention to ensure we are afforded an opportunity to play a full role both at committee and Dáil debates on Bills.
My Department was made aware of the situation just before 1 p.m. As the business ordered in the Dáil finished somewhat earlier than anticipated, the Chief Whip had to bring forward other legislation for discussion. Both Bills are currently going through Second Stage and I understand the main spokespersons have already spoken on them.
Not on both.
A Second Stage debate merely provides people with an opportunity to speak on a Bill. Perhaps the Aer Lingus Bill will go on longer than anticipated and the problem will not arise.
Perhaps the committee secretariat could contact the Chief Whip in this regard. I have not even read the explanatory memorandum of the European development bank Bill.
The European development bank Bill is not being taken today; the House is taking the resumed Second Stage debate on the International Development Association (Amendment) Bill which was due to conclude at 3 p.m. on the day it was taken. Second Stage of the Council of Europe Development Bank Bill is not being taken today. Second Stage of that Bill must be moved by the Minister for Finance and I will not be in a position to do so today.
I am only becoming aware of the difficulty as we speak.
Deputy Burton thought Second Stage of the Council of Europe Development Bank Bill was being taken today but it is not.
I think the Chairman should notify the Chief Whip of our difficulties. It is unfair to schedule finance business in the House while we are in committee.
I will give an undertaking to contact the Chief Whip directly on the matter. I have only just become aware of the problem.
Deputies have already spoken on Second Stage in terms of the Bills being taken, one of which is non-controversial. I do not anticipate a vote on the International Development Association (Amendment) Bill.
Deputies have made valid points. I will raise the issue with the Chief Whip. Is it agreed that we will take a sos at 5.15 p.m. until 6 p.m. and that we will continue our consideration of the Bill from 6 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.?
Another matter must be raised at this point.
We will deal with that matter when we come to the first amendment.
Will I be permitted to speak on it?
The Deputy can make his point when we come to section 1. We will now proceed with our consideration of the Bill in accordance with the agreed timetable.
