asked the Taoiseach if he will give details of the final report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Building Societies; and the amending legislation which will be required following the publishing of the report.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Building Societies Inquiry.
1.
The committee who have been reviewing the legislative and regulatory arrangements in relation to building societies completed their report on 25 October. The report is now being considered and such proposals as may be necessary on issues arising from the report will be brought to Government. Should legislation be required it will be brought before the House in the usual manner.
This is the first opportunity we have had to ask the Taoiseach about the committee of inquiry announced on 31 July last. At this stage would the Taoiseach be prepared to indicate to the House who chaired this inter-departmental committee and the members who served on it?
That seems to be another question.
It is not.
It is related to the question about the committee of inquiry. The least we would be entitled to is the names of the people who carried out that inquiry.
I know, Sir, you are required to protect him.
Deputy Lenihan, please——
Would the Taoiseach——
I am objecting to the Chair being insulted in this manner. I must protect the Chair and I intend to.
Would the Taoiseach answer?
I have no objection to the Taoiseach answering if he wishes. I am objecting to Deputy Lenihan's remark. The Chair is in control of procedure in the House and intends to retain control.
The committee was chaired by my economic adviser, was composed of representatives from the offices of the Tánaiste, the office of the Registrar of Friendly Societies, the Departments of Finance, the Environment and Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism. The secretarial services were provided by my Department.
I take it that the Taoiseach's economic adviser is Dr. Patrick Honohan. Would the Taoiseach care to give an indication of the consultations that took place and if the building societies were consulted or approached in this matter?
Yes, there were consultations with the building societies and certain other representations were made or views offered.
Would the Taoiseach care to elaborate on that — because it is a very important aspect of the inquiry — who were consulted and particularly the other relevant institutions to which he referred. Could he give us the details?
I have not got the information in detail. I am sorry. The Deputy may wish to put down a further question. I know that the building societies were met and that discussions were held with them. From my recollection I could not go beyond that and I have not got further information here.
Once.
Would the Taoiseach confirm that the building societies were met on just one occasion? Would he be prepared to give me privately, or through his office, the names of the other agencies or institutions that were consulted?
I do not have any difficulty about that, but at the moment I cannot recall exactly what was involved.
The Taoiseach does confirm that they were met on one occasion.
That is my recollection. I am speaking from recollection.
Might the Chair point out that the question clearly asks for details of the final report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Building Societies and the amending legislation that would be necessary as a result. In the opinion of the Chair it is not reasonable to go into how the inquiry was conducted or what witnesses were heard because it is not contained in the question.
The validity of the report is in question.
Details of the final report are asked for.
The validity of it.
If that is so another opportunity can be found to debate the report.
A Cheann Comhairle, you tried to stop the Taoiseach from answering the first question.
Yes, and I was quite right——
Is there something secret about it?
There is nothing secret about it. The Chair wants to restore order at Question Time but it is impossible for the Chair to do so unless his rulings are obeyed. There is no point in the Chief Whip of the Opposition party telling the Chair that he must get on with questions and get more work done if the Chair is going to be obstructed at every turn he takes.
Normally when a final report is brought to the Government it is relevant to ask these sorts of questions. Will this report be published or will it be the subject of a White Paper to be issued by the Government?
I do not envisage it being published. The report was commissioned with a view to providing the Governent with material for decisions. It will be brought before the Government and they will decide what action, if any, they will take. Action will either take the form of legislation through this House or, if it does not require legislation, it will be announced by the Government in the usual way.
One final question——
I am sorry, I cannot allow any more questions.
I should like to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
There is something very odd about the whole business which involves a secret investigation and now we hear that the report will not be published.
I answered every question which you held to be in order and indeed I have gone beyond that. Any suggestion that I have been unwilling to answer questions is totally false.
Why will the report not be published?
(Interruptions.)
On a point of order, when a final report has been completed——
That is not a point of order.
Is it not usual for Members of the House by way of supplementary questions to get at least an indication——
Deputy Flynn, please resume your seat. I am adopting a firm attitude because I have been specifically asked to make more progress at Question Time. When I stated that I had requested and nagged for progress to be made I was told that I would have to do more. Deputies cannot have it both ways. We are moving on to Question No. 2.
Why is the Taoiseach being so secretive about this matter?
I have answered every question put to me.
Publish the report.
(Interruptions.)