Apologies have been received from Deputies Ned O'Keeffe, McGuinness and Nolan. This meeting has been called to discuss draft regulations under the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, proposals regarding draft double taxation relief orders between Ireland and Slovenia and Ireland and Croatia, and Committee Stage of the Statute Law Restatement Bill, 2000. I propose we limit discussion on both the Freedom of Information Act and the double taxation order to 30 minutes with a view to concluding both items by 2 p.m. We can then move on to Committee Stage of the Statute Law Restatement Bill. We must, however, conclude the meeting at 3.45 p.m. as the Minister has another appointment. Is that timetable agreed?
Business of Select Committee.
Chairman
There are no minutes or indication of correspondence, although I understand the committee has received correspondence from the credit union movement seeking an urgent meeting about the new financial services regulatory authority. We are to consider a report on the issue soon. Before we deal with the business the Chairman has outlined, we should agree to meet the credit union movement and give it an opportunity to express the concerns of its members about amendments the Minister of Finance has prepared since the publication of the Bill. It would be important to indicate our willingness to meet the movement.
I agree. The Irish League of Credit Unions has indicated that it has concerns about the proposed amendments. They run contrary to earlier understandings the credit union had vis-à-vis the legislation. It is imperative that the committee, before it reaches the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill, 2002, meets a delegation from the Irish League of Credit Unions in accordance with its request.
Chairman
I had intended to deal with correspondence under any other business, but if we agree to that we can dispose of the issue now.
What about the views of the banking community in general? Should we not include everyone? If we agree to requests from all bodies who want to send a delegation, we would be better off to invite everyone who is interested in this legislation in at the one time. Otherwise there will be repeated requests following each submission.
Chairman
As far as I know, the Irish League of Credit Unions is the only body that has formally contacted the various spokespersons and myself. No one else has contacted me. When we are scheduling that meeting, we could deal with the credit unions first and if the committee agrees to meet someone else, we could deal with it subsequently. It is the only request at the moment.
We should meet everyone. I agree with Deputy Lenihan's point that we should deal with all requests for explanation of the legislation. If there is only one request, we should certainly meet the Irish League of Credit Unions.
Chairman
We will take it that is agreed and ask the clerk to liaise with the Irish League of Credit Unions to set a time suitable to the committee and themselves, as soon as is practicable, before Committee Stage. Is it agreed to conclude the freedom of information and the double taxation agreements before 2 p.m. and to move on to the other business after 2 p.m.?
In the event that the time signposted is not required for the earlier items, is it possible that the Minister can bring forward for attendance——
Chairman
No, and the Government Chief Whip has indicated that too. If we finish this section early I propose we suspend for half an hour for lunch and come back at 2.15. If we finish at 2 p.m. I suggest we continue, if that is agreeable to everybody else. We will try to be flexible and see how the meeting progresses.
On behalf of the select committee I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, and his officials. We will begin with the draft regulations under the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, which were referred for consideration to the select committee by Order of the Dáil on 5 November. Members have been circulated with copies of the draft regulations and correspondence from the Minister of State regarding the extension of the Freedom of Information Act to a new range of public bodies. I suggest we invite the Minister of State to make his opening statement which will be followed by a question and answer session. Is that agreed? Agreed.