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.