Section

1.

Short title and commencement.

2.

Interpretation: Part 2.

3.

Substitution of section 2 of the Principal Act.

4.

Substitution of section 5 of the Principal Act.

5.

Substitution of section 5A of the Principal Act.

6.

Substitution of section 6 of the Principal Act.

7.

Insertion into the Principal Act of new sections 6A to 6K.

8.

Repeal of section 7 of the Principal Act (certain particular powers of the Bank).

9.

Repeal of section 8 of the Principal Act (certain further powers of the Bank).

10.

Amendment of section 9 of the Principal Act (capital of the Bank).

11.

Amendment of section 10 of the Principal Act (seal of the Bank).

12.

Repeal of section 15 of the Principal Act (dissolution of the Commission).

13.

Insertion into the Principal Act of new sections 18A to 18D.

14.

Amendment of section 19 of the Principal Act (appointment, tenure of office, etc., of the Governor).

15.

Insertion into the Principal Act of new section 19A.

16.

Substitution of section 21 of the Principal Act.

17.

Substitution of section 22 of the Principal Act.

18.

Insertion into the Principal Act of new section 22A.

19.

Amendment of section 23 of the Principal Act (remuneration, etc., of Directors).

20.

Substitution of section 24 of the Principal Act.

21.

Substitution of section 25 of the Principal Act.

22.

Substitution of section 28 of the Principal Act.

23.

Repeal of section 30 of the Principal Act (operation of disqualification of Governor or Director).

24.

Substitution of section 32 of the Principal Act.

25.

Repeal of section 33 of the Principal Act.

26.

Insertion into the Principal Act of new Parts IIIA and IIIB.

27.

Amendment of section 35 of the Principal Act (restrictions on amount of consolidated bank notes outstanding).

28.

Insertion into the Principal Act of new Part VIIA.

29.

Insertion into the Principal Act of new Part VIIIA.

30.

Insertion into the Principal Act of new sections 61E and 61F.

31.

Substitution of the First and Second Schedules to the Principal Act.

32.

Amendment of Third Schedule to the Principal Act.

33.

Insertion into the Principal Act of new Schedule 5.

34.

Repeal of certain enactments.

35.

Consequential amendment of other legislation.

36.

Schedule 3 (savings and transitional provisions).

Acts Referred to

Asset Covered Securities Act 2001

2001, No. 47

Assurance Companies Act 1909

9 Edw. 7, c. 49

Building Societies Act 1989

1989, No. 17

Central Bank Act 1942

1942, No. 22

Central Bank Acts 1942 to 1998

Central Bank Acts 1942 to 2001

Central Bank Act 1961

1961, No. 8

Central Bank Act 1964

1964, No. 3

Central Bank Act 1971

1971, No. 24

Central Bank Act 1989

1989, No. 16

Central Bank Act 1997

1997, No. 8

Central Bank Act 1998

1998, No. 2

Civil Service Regulation Acts 1956 to 1996

Companies Act 1963

1963, No. 33

Companies Act 1990

1990, No. 33

Companies Acts 1963 to 2001

Companies (Amendment) Act 1990

1990, No. 27

Competition Act 1991

1991, No. 24

Competition Act 2002

2002, No. 14

Competition Acts 1991 and 1996

Consumer Credit Act 1995

1995, No. 24

Credit Union Act 1997

1997, No. 15

Criminal Justice Act 1994

1994, No. 15

Currency Act 1927

1927, No. 32

Dormant Accounts Act 2001

2001, No. 32

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992

1992, No. 18

Insurance Act 1936

1936, No. 45

Insurance Act 1953

1953, No. 7

Insurance Act 1964

1964, No. 18

Insurance (Amendment) Act 1978

1978, No. 30

Insurance (No. 2) Act 1983

1983, No. 29

Insurance Act 1989

1989, No. 3

Insurance Act 1990

1990, No. 26

Insurance Act 2000

2000, No. 42

Interpretation Act 1937

1937, No. 38

Investment Intermediaries Act 1995

1995, No. 11

Investment Limited Partnership Act 1994

1994, No. 24

Investor Compensation Act 1998

1998, No. 37

Local Government Act 2001

2001, No. 37

Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1973

1973, No. 4

Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924

1924, No. 16

Netting of Financial Contracts Act 1995

1995, No. 25

Organisation of Working Time Act 1997

1997, No. 20

Parental Leave Act 1998

1998, No. 30

Pawnbrokers Act 1964

1964, No. 31

Pensions (Increase) Act 1964

1964, No. 10

Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983

1983, No. 24

Public Offices Fees Act 1879

42 & 43 Vict., c. 58

Redundancy Payments Acts 1967 to 1991

Solicitors (Amendment) Act 1994

1994, No. 27

Statistics Act 1993

1993, No. 21

Stock Exchange Act 1995

1995, No. 9

Superannuation Act 1892

55 & 56 Vict., c. 40

Taxes Consolidation Act 1997

1997, No. 39

Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Acts 1921 to 2002

Trustee Savings Banks Act 1989

1989, No. 21

Unfair Dismissals Act 1977

1977, No. 10

Unit Trusts Act 1990

1990, No. 37

“Interpretation.

2.—(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—

‘Appeals Tribunal’ means the Irish Financial

Services Appeals Tribunal established by section 57C;

‘appointed Director’ means a Director referred to in section 18B(1)(f);

‘approved stock exchange’ means a stock exchange approved under section 9 of the Stock Exchange Act 1995 ;

‘Bank’ means the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland;

‘Board’ means the Board of Directors of the Bank;

‘Central Bank Acts’ means the Central Bank Acts 1942 to 1998 and includes any later Act that is to be construed as one with those or any of those Acts;

‘Chief Executive’ means the person holding office or acting as Chief Executive of the Regulatory Authority;

‘consolidated bank note’ has the same meaning as in the Currency Act 1927 ;

‘constituent part’, in relation to the Bank, means the Regulatory Authority, or any division, branch or office that forms part of the Bank, and includes any committee of the Board of the Bank;

‘Consumer Director’ means the person holding office or acting as Consumer Director of the Regulatory Authority;

‘credit union’ has the meaning given by the Credit Union Act 1997 ;

‘Currency Act 1927’ means that Act as adapted in consequence of the Constitution;

‘designated enactments’ means the enactments specified in Part 1 of Schedule 2;

‘designated statutory instruments’ means the statutory instruments specified in Part 2 of Schedule 2;

‘Director’ means a Director of the Bank;

‘employee’, in relation to the Bank, includes the Secretary to the Bank;

‘enactment’ includes any instrument made under an enactment;

‘ESCB Statute’ means the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank as set out in Protocol (No. 3) (annexed by the Treaty on European Union done at Maastricht on February 1992) to the Rome Treaty;

‘financial futures and options exchange’ has the meaning given by section 97 of the Central Bank Act 1989;

‘financial services’ include financial products;

‘financial year’ means a period of 12 months ending on 31 December or, if the Minister, by order notified in Iris Oifigiúil, has prescribed a different period for the purposes of this Act, that other period;

‘function’ includes duty;

‘general fund’ means the general fund kept by the Bank under section 6G;

‘Governor’ means the person holding office as the Governor of the Bank, and includes—

(a) any person appointed to act as Governor in accordance with section 22, and

(b) the Director General of the Bank when carrying out responsibilities of the Governor in accordance with section 22A;

‘law’ includes the Rome Treaty and the ESCB Statute;

‘local authority’ means a local authority for the purposes of the Local Government Act 2001 ;

‘Minister’ means the Minister for Finance;

‘officer’, in relation to the Regulatory Authority, means the Chief Executive, the Consumer Director or the Registrar of Credit Unions;

‘official Director’ means a person who is a Director by virtue of being the holder of a specified office, and includes the Governor;

‘power’ includes right and privilege;

‘record’ means any record of information, however compiled, recorded or stored, and includes—

(a) any book, a register and any other document containing information, and

(b) any disc, tape or other article from which information is capable of being produced in any form capable of being reproduced visually or aurally;

‘the regulations’ means regulations made by the Minister under section 61A and in force under this Act;

‘Regulatory Authority’ means the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority established by section 33B;

‘Rome Treaty’ means the Treaty establishing the European Community done at Rome on 25 March 1957, as amended by the Treaty on European Union done at Maastricht on 7 February 1992.

(2) In this Act—

(a) a reference to an enactment is, unless the context otherwise requires, a reference to that enactment as amended or extended by or under any subsequent enactment (including this Act), and

(b) a reference to a section is a reference to a section of this Act unless it is indicated that a reference to some other enactment is intended, and

(c) a reference to a subsection, paragraph or subparagraph is a reference to the subsection, paragraph or subparagraph of the provision in which the reference occurs, unless it is indicated that reference to some other provision is intended.

(3) A function or responsibility imposed, or a power conferred, on a person by a provision of this Act is not to be taken to be limited merely by implication from another provision, whether of this or any other Act, that imposes a function or responsibility, or confers a power, on that person.”.

Constitution of Bank.

5.—(1) The body corporate formerly called ‘Banc Ceannais na hÉireann’ in Irish and the ‘Central Bank of Ireland’ in English is continued, but with the corporate name of ‘Banc Ceannais agus Údarás Seirbhísí Airgeadais na hÉireann’ in Irish and the ‘Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland’ in English.

(2) The Bank—

(a) has perpetual succession, and

(b) may take legal proceedings and be proceeded against in its corporate name.

(3) The Bank is required to have a seal. The seal is to be judicially noticed.

(4) Except as expressly provided by this Act, the affairs and activities of the Bank are to be managed and controlled by the Board of Directors of the Bank.”.

“General functions and powers of the Bank.

5A.—(1) The Bank has the following functions:

(a) to carry out the efficient and effective co-ordination of—

(i) the activities of the constituent parts of the Bank, and

(ii) activities undertaken by any of those parts with persons who provide services to, or receive services from, the Bank, and

(iii) the exchange of information among those parts and between any of those parts and any of those persons;

(b) to promote the development within the State of the financial services industry (but in such a way as not to affect the objective of the Bank in contributing to the stability of the State's financial system);

(c) where appropriate, to represent and co-ordinate the representation of the Bank on international financial bodies and at international meetings relating to financial or economic matters;

(d) to establish and maintain, either directly or indirectly, contact with the monetary authorities established in other countries and in territories;

(e) whenever it thinks fit, to provide to governments of, and financial institutions and other bodies established in, other countries and in territories advice or other assistance on matters within its expertise and, when appropriate, to co-ordinate application of the resources of its constituent parts for that purpose;

(f) to provide banking services to its constituent parts;

(g) to provide for the collection and study of data that deal with monetary and credit problems and to publish information about that data;

(h) to provide advice and assistance to the Central Statistics Office about the collection, compilation, analysis and interpretation of statistics relating to the balance of payments, national accounts and other financial statistics and, where appropriate, to collect data for that purpose;

(i) to perform such other functions as are imposed on it by or under this and any other Act or law.

(2) The Bank has power to do whatever is necessary for or in connection with, or reasonably incidental to, the performance of its functions.

(3) In particular, the powers of the Bank include powers of a kind that, in accordance with normal banking practice, may be exercised by a bank.

(4) The Bank is required to perform its functions and exercise its powers in a manner consistent with the Rome Treaty and the ESCB Statute.

(5) The Bank can perform its functions and exercise its powers both within the State and elsewhere.

Specific powers of the Bank.

5B.—Without limiting section 5A, the powers of the Bank include power to do all or any of the following:

(a) subject to paragraph (b), acquire, hold, dispose of or otherwise deal in all kinds of property (including real property, securities, coins, gold or silver bullion and other precious metals, and any kinds of currency or currency units);

(b) acquire, hold or dispose of shares in a bank or other institution formed wholly or mainly by banks that are the principal currency authority in their respective countries, but only with the approval of the Minister;

(c) enter into, carry out, assign or accept the assignment of, vary or rescind, any contract, agreement or other obligation;

(d) provide loans and other kinds of financial accommodation to credit institutions and other persons on the security of such assets and on such terms and conditions as the Board considers appropriate;

(e) give guarantees and make payments under them;

(f) receive funds on deposit;

(g) open accounts in other countries or act as agent, depository, or correspondent of any credit institution carrying on business in or outside the State;

(h) re-discount exchequer notes or bills, local authority bills, bills of exchange and promissory notes on such terms and conditions as the Board considers appropriate;

(i) keep registers of securities generally;

(j) operate or participate in a depository of securities or other instruments;

(k) keep the accounts for the clearing and settlement of securities or payment instruments;

(l) become a member of, or a party to, the establishment or operation of one or more payment systems;

(m) operate or participate in a system that provides a settlement service for transactions in securities or other instruments for its members;

(n) enter into agreements with depositories of securities or of other instruments, and carry out transactions under the terms of those agreements so far as necessary for the settlement of transactions between members of those depositories and the members of any depository operated by the Bank;

(o) transfer assets, income or liabilities to the European Central Bank where required under the ESCB Statute.”.

“Bank to perform functions of European System of Central Banks.

6.—(1) The Bank shall perform all functions imposed, and exercise all powers conferred, on the Bank by or under the Rome Treaty or the ESCB Statute.

(2) This section is subject to section 19A.

(3) Section 9 of the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924 does not apply to the Bank.”.

“Objectives of Bank in discharging ESCB functions, etc.

6A.—(1) In discharging its functions and exercising its powers as part of the European System of Central Banks, the primary objective of the Bank is to maintain price stability.

(2) The Bank also has the following objectives:

(a) contributing to the stability of the financial system;

(b) promoting the efficient and effective operation of payment and settlement systems; and

(c) discharging such other functions and powers as are conferred or imposed on it by the Rome Treaty, the ESCB Statute or any enactment.

(3) The Minister may, from time to time, request the Governor, the Board or the Regulatory Authority to consult with the Minister, in relation to their respective functions, as regards the performance by the Bank of any function of the Bank (other than one imposed on it by the Rome Treaty or the ESCB Statute).

(4) The Minister may, from time to time, request the Governor to inform the Minister with respect to the pursuit of the primary objective of the Bank.

(5) The Governor, or the Board, shall comply with a request made to the Governor or the Board under this section in so far as the request is consistent with the Rome Treaty, the ESCB Statute or any law of the State.

(6) Without prejudice to the objective of maintaining price stability, the Bank is required to support the general economic policies of the European Union with a view to contributing to the achievement of the objectives of that Union as laid down in Article 2 of the Rome Treaty.

Offices of the Bank.

6B.—Where the Board considers—

(a) that it is necessary for the purpose of the due performance by the Bank of its functions, the Board may build, purchase, lease or otherwise acquire, establish, equip and maintain offices and other premises of the Bank in such places, whether in the State or elsewhere, or

(b) that it is no longer necessary for that purpose, sell or let any such premises.

Power of the Bank to establish divisions, etc. within the Bank.

6C.—(1) The Bank may, from time to time, establish divisions, branches or offices as part of the Bank's structure.

(2) The Board is responsible for administering the staff of the Bank and its constituent parts and for administering the provision of accommodation and office and other equipment with a view to enabling the Bank and its constituent parts to perform and exercise their respective functions and powers.

Staff of Bank.

6D.—(1) Subject to this section, the Board shall appoint a Secretary to the Bank and such other employees of the Bank as it considers necessary for the effective performance and exercise of the functions and powers of the Bank and each of its constituent parts.

(2) The Regulatory Authority shall appoint a Secretary to that Authority.

(3) Except as regards the appointment of a Secretary to the Bank and the Secretary to the Regulatory Authority—

(a) the Governor has the same power to appoint employees of the Bank as the Board has under subsection (1), but that power is only exercisable in respect of responsibilities specified in section 19A(1)(a) and (b) and (2),

(b) the Chief Executive has the same power to appoint employees of the Bank as the Board has under subsection (1), but that power is only exercisable with the agreement of the Regulatory Authority.

(4) The Secretary to the Regulatory Authority and employees appointed under subsection (3) are taken, for the purposes of this Act, to have been appointed under subsection (1).

(5) The employees of the Bank are to be employed on such conditions (including conditions as to remuneration and allowances) as the Board fixes from time to time. However, in fixing the conditions of employment of the Secretary to the Regulatory Authority and employees appointed by the Chief Executive under subsection (3), the Board shall obtain the concurrence of the Regulatory Authority or Chief Executive (as the case requires) with respect to those conditions of employment.

(6) Subject to subsection (8), an appointment under this section is to be made by competition to be conducted in accordance with rules made by the Board.

(7) The Board may, in relation to a particular competition, impose conditions of entry, limitations and safeguards. If the competition relates to an appointment to be made under subsection (2) or (3), the Board may impose such conditions only with the concurrence of the Regulatory Authority or the Chief Executive, as the case requires.

(8) Subsection (6) does not apply to an appointment to a position if the Board, or, in relation to appointments under subsection (2) or (3), if the Regulatory Authority or Chief Executive (as the case requires), decides that appointment to the position by competition would be inappropriate.

(9) The Board shall establish and operate a policy under which provision is made for employees of the Bank to be given opportunities for training and experience in various activities, and in different constituent parts, of the Bank.

Assignment of employees of Bank.

6E.—The Board shall arrange for employees of the Bank to be assigned to the Regulatory Authority and to any divisions, branches or offices established under section 6C. However, any assignment of an employee to or from the Regulatory Authority shall take place only with the agreement of the Chief Executive.

Bank may engage agents and act as agent for others.

6F.—The Bank may engage agents, and act as agent for other persons.

Financial and administrative matters

General fund of the Bank.

6G.—(1) The Bank shall continue to keep and operate the fund called the general fund.

(2) The Bank shall pay into the general fund all money received by the Bank and shall pay from that fund all amounts that it is required to pay.

(3) The Bank shall pay its surplus income as and when determined under this section into the Exchequer in such manner as the Minister directs and may at any time pending such determination pay into the Exchequer such sums on account of surplus income as may be agreed on by the Minister and the Bank.

(4) The expenses incurred by the Bank in performing functions or exercising powers under this or any other Act or law are payable out of the general fund of the Bank, except where otherwise provided by or under this or any other Act.

(5) Any claims on or liabilities to the European Central Bank are to be treated as assets or liabilities of the general fund or any other fund established by order made by the Minister for that purpose.

(6) The Minister may, after consultation with the Bank, make regulations providing for the periodic determination of the Bank's surplus income and, in particular, such regulations may—

(a) enable provision to be made for reserves, depreciation and other similar matters before the surplus income is determined, and

(b) provide for any matter arising from the implementation of Chapters VI, VIII and IX of the ESCB Statute.

(7) In exercising the powers conferred by this section, the Minister is required to have regard to the functions imposed and the powers conferred on the Bank by or under the Rome Treaty and the ESCB Statute.

(8) Any regulations in force under section 23 of the Central Bank Act 1989, immediately before the commencement of this section are taken to have been made under section 61A(1), and may be amended or revoked accordingly.

Accounting and other records of Bank.

6H.—(1) The Bank shall keep all proper accounting records in respect of all of its transactions.

(2) Within 6 months after the end of each financial year, the Bank shall prepare and transmit to the Comptroller and Auditor General a statement of accounts for the year concerned. The statement must be in a form approved by the Minister after consulting the Bank. A form of statement approved under this subsection remains in force until superseded by another form of statement so approved.

(3) The Comptroller and Auditor General shall audit, certify and report on the statement of accounts and, as soon as practicable after completing the report, give the report and the statement to the Minister.

(4) As soon as practicable after being given the report and statement of account, the Minister shall arrange for copies of those documents to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

(5) The accounts of the Bank may be audited in accordance with Article 27 of the ESCB Statute and, for that purpose, the Bank shall provide any auditors appointed in accordance with that Article with full information, books and records.

(6) The Bank shall keep its accounting records for at least 6 years.

Report and returns by Bank.

6I.—(1) Within 6 months after the end of each financial year, the Bank shall prepare a report of its operations during the year and present the report to the Minister.

(2) As soon as practicable after receiving such a report, the Minister is required to arrange for copies of the report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas, together with any other reports required to be included in or attached to the report.

(3) The Bank shall give to the Minister for publication in Iris Oifigiúil such periodical returns concerning the transactions of the Bank as the Minister directs from time to time.

Exemption of Bank from taxes.

6J.—Profits, income and chargeable gains of the Bank are exempt from corporation tax, income tax and capital gains tax despite any contrary provisions of any enactment providing for corporation tax, income tax or capital gains tax.

Provisions relating to documents of the Bank.

6K.—(1) The Bank may keep its documents wholly or partly in a non-legible form so long as they are capable of being reproduced in a legible form.

(2) The Bank is not required to keep any of its documents (including accounting records) for longer than 6 years after the latest date of the period to which such documents relate. This subsection has effect despite any other enactment to the contrary.

(3) In any legal proceedings, a copy or reproduction in legible form of a document, or an entry in a document, kept or formerly kept by the Bank is admissible as evidence of the entry and the matters contained in it where the document has been destroyed or is kept by the Bank in a non-legible form.

(4) In this section, ‘document’ means any record of information, and includes—

(a) anything on which there is writing, or

(b) anything on which there are marks, figures, symbols or perforations having a meaning for persons qualified to interpret them, or

(c) anything from which sounds, images or writings can be reproduced with or without the aid of anything else, or

(d) a map, plan, drawing or photograph.”.

“Interpretation: Part III.

18A.—In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires—

‘credit institution’ means an undertaking whose business is to receive deposits or other repayable funds from the public and to grant credit on its own account but does not include the European Central Bank;

‘financial institution’ means an undertaking, other than a credit institution, that provides one or more of the kinds of financial services that are set out in the Schedule to the European Communities (Licensing and Supervision of Credit Institutions) Regulations 1992 ( S.I. No. 395 of 1992 );

‘insurance undertaking’ has the meaning given by the Insurance Act 1989 .

Bank to have Board of Directors.

18B.—(1) The Board of Directors of the Bank comprises the following persons:

(a) the Governor;

(b) the Director General of the Bank;

(c) the Secretary General of the Department of Finance;

(d) the Chairperson of the Regulatory Authority;

(e) the Chief Executive of that Authority;

(f) 7 other Directors appointed by the Minister.

(2) Of the other Directors, 4 are to be members of the Regulatory Authority.

(3) A person is not eligible for appointment as a Director if the person—

(a) is a member of either House of the Oireachtas or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member or is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann, or

(b) is a member of the European Parliament or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member or to fill a vacancy in the membership of that Parliament, or

(c) is a member of a local authority or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member.

(4) The performance and exercise of the functions and powers of the Board are not affected by there being one or more vacancies in the membership of the Board.

(5) The Governor is the Chairperson of the Board.

Acts, etc. of the Board to be acts, etc. of the Bank.

18C.—Any act, matter or thing done in the name of, or on behalf of, the Bank by the Board in the performance or exercise of the Board's functions or powers is to be taken to have been done by the Bank.

Functions and powers of the Board.

18D.—(1) The Board has the following functions:

(a) to perform the functions of the Bank under sections 6B to 6K;

(b) to perform such other functions as are expressly imposed on it by this or under any other Act or law.

(2) The Board has power to do whatever is necessary for or in connection with, or reasonably incidental to, the performance of its functions.

(3) Without limiting subsection (2), the Board may do all or any of the following:

(a) establish committees of the Board consisting of one or more members of the Board either solely or together with one or more officers of the Bank;

(b) determine the procedure and define the functions and powers of any such committees;

(c) delegate to a specified person or body (including a committee established under paragraph (a)) the performance or exercise of any one or more of the functions and powers of the Bank or of the Board;

(d) impose conditions, limitations, or restrictions on the performance or exercise by any such person or body of functions or powers delegated under this subsection;

(e) provide in appropriate cases for the review by the Board of decisions taken or things done by any such person or body in the performance or exercise of any function or power delegated under this subsection.

(4) Subsection (3) does not authorise the Board to delegate to a committee, or to a person or body, any function of the Bank that must, by a provision of this Act, be performed by either the Governor or the Regulatory Authority.

(5) If the Board establishes a committee of the Board called the ‘Monetary Committee of the Board’ (or a similar name) and the committee consists only of those members of the Board who are not members of the Regulatory Authority, the Governor is taken to have complied with section 19A(3) if the Governor provides the committee with information about the carrying out by the Governor of the responsibilities referred to in section 19A(2).”.

“Responsibilities and powers of the Governor.

19A.—(1) The Governor is responsible for—

(a) holding and managing by the Bank of the foreign reserves of the State, and

(b) promoting the efficient and effective operation of payment and settlement systems, and

(c) performing such other functions as are imposed on the Governor by or under this Act or by or under another law.

(2) The Governor has sole responsibility for the performance of the functions imposed, and the exercise of powers conferred, on the Bank by or under the Rome Treaty or the ESCB Statute.

(3) Subject to the requirements of the Rome Treaty and the ESCB Statute, the Governor shall provide the Board with information about, and may discuss with the Board, the performance by the Governor of the functions and powers referred to in subsections (1) and (2).

(4) The Governor has power to do whatever is necessary for or in connection with, or reasonably incidental to, carrying out the Governor's responsibilities.

(5) In carrying out or exercising the Governor's responsibilities or powers, the Governor shall, as far as reasonably practicable, ensure that the resources of the Bank allocated for carrying out those responsibilities or exercising powers are used effectively, efficiently and economically.

(6) Any act, matter or thing done in the name of, or on behalf of, the Bank by the Governor in the performance or exercise of the Governor's responsibilities or powers is to be taken to have been done by the Bank.”.

“Removal of Governor from office.

21.—(1) The President may, on the advice of the Government, remove the Governor from office on the ground that the Governor has, because of ill-health, become permanently incapacitated from carrying out the responsibilities of Governor.

(2) The President may, on the advice of the Government, remove the Governor from office if the other members of the Board have passed a unanimous resolution requesting the President to remove the Governor from office on one or more specified grounds of serious misconduct.

(3) A decision of the President removing a Governor from office under this section takes immediate effect from the date on which the decision is notified to the Governor or the date on which the decision is first published, whichever date first occurs.

(4) A decision of the President removing a Governor from office under this section can be referred to the European Court of Justice in such manner and on grounds consistent with Article 14.2 of the ESCB Statute.”.

“Acting Governor.

22.—(1) The Governor may appoint one of the other Directors to act as Governor to carry out the designated responsibilities of the Governor's office whenever the Governor is temporarily unable to carry out those responsibilities, whether because of absence or ill-health or for any other reason.

(2) If the Governor fails to make an appointment in the circumstances specified in subsection (1), the other Directors may appoint one of them to carry out the designated responsibilities.

(3) Whenever the office of Governor becomes vacant, the Board may appoint any one of the Directors to act as Governor to carry out the designated responsibilities of that office during such vacancy but no Director so appointed shall so act after the expiration of 3 months from the occurrence of the vacancy which occasioned his or her appointment.

(4) A Director appointed under this section, while acting as Governor has the designated responsibilities of the office of Governor and also the powers relating to the carrying out of those responsibilities.

(5) A Director appointed under this section to act as Governor is entitled to be paid such remuneration (including travelling and subsistence allowances) as the Board determines from time to time.

(6) A Director appointed under this section to act as Governor shall not, by reason of such appointment, vacate office as a Director.

(7) This section does not apply to responsibilities of the Governor that are required, by virtue of section 22A, to be carried out by the Director General of the Bank in any of the circumstances specified in that section.

(8) In this section, ‘designated responsibilities’, in relation to the office of Governor, means those responsibilities of the Governor other than those specified in section 19A(1)(a) and (b) and (2).”.

“Director General of the Bank to carry out certain responsibilities of the Governor.

22A.—The Director General of the Bank is required to carry out the responsibilities of the Governor under section 19A (other than under subsection (1)(c)) and paragraph 3(3) of Schedule 1 whenever—

(a) the Governor is, because of absence or ill-health or for any other reason, unable to carry out those responsibilities, or

(b) the office of Governor is vacant.”.

“Tenure of office of Directors.

24.—(1) A person who is an official Director holds office as such for as long as the person holds the office by virtue of which the person is such a Director.

(2) An appointed Director holds office as such for a period of 5 years unless the Director previously ceases to hold that office as provided by a provision of this Part.

(3) Subsection (2) applies only to a Director whose appointment takes effect on or after the commencement of section 20 of the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Act 2003.”.

“Vacation of office of Director.

25.—(1) A person ceases to be an official Director if the person ceases to hold the office by virtue of which the person is such a Director.

(2) A person who is an appointed Director by virtue of being a member of the Regulatory Authority ceases to be an appointed Director if the person—

(a) dies, or

(b) completes a term of office and is not re-appointed, or

(c) resigns by notice in writing given to the Governor, or

(d) ceases to be a member of that Authority, or

(e) is removed from office under subsection (4).

(3) A person who is an appointed Director otherwise than by virtue of being a member of the Regulatory Authority ceases to be an appointed Director if the person—

(a) dies, or

(b) completes a term of office and is not re-appointed, or

(c) resigns the office by notice in writing addressed to the Governor, or

(d) has, without the permission of the other Directors, been absent from meetings of the Board for a consecutive period of 6 months, or

(e) is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as a member of either House of the Oireachtas or is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann, or

(f) is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as a member of the European Parliament or to fill a vacancy in the membership of that Parliament, or

(g) is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as a member of a local authority, or

(h) is adjudged bankrupt (either in the State or elsewhere) or enters into a composition with the person's creditors, or

(i) becomes physically or mentally incapable of performing the duties of a Director, or

(j) is convicted of an offence (either in the State or elsewhere) and sentenced to serve a term of imprisonment for the offence, or

(k) is removed from office under subsection (4).

(4) The Minister may remove an appointed Director from office—

(a) for proven misconduct or incompetence, or

(b) in order to enable the Board to function effectively.”.

“Filling of vacancy in office of Director.

28.—As soon as practicable after an appointed Director ceases to hold office, the Minister shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy.”.

“Meetings and procedure of the Board.

32.—Schedule 1 has effect with respect to meetings and procedure of the Board.”.

Interpretation: Part IIIB and Schedule 3.

33A.—In this Part and Schedule 3—

‘Chairperson’ means Chairperson of the Regulatory Authority;

‘member’ means a member of the Regulatory Authority;

‘other members of the Regulatory Authority’—

(a) when used in a provision relating to the Chief Executive — means a majority of the members of the Regulatory Authority other than the Chief Executive or a person acting as such, and

(b) when used in a provision relating to the Consumer Director — means a majority of the members of the Regulatory Authority other than the Consumer Director or a person acting as such.

Establishment of Regulatory Authority.

33B.—(1) There is established by this section a body called ‘Údarás Rialála Seirbhísí Airgeadais na hÉireann’ or in the English language the ‘Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority’.

(2) The Regulatory Authority is a constituent part of the Bank.

(3) The Regulatory Authority is separate from its members and continues in existence despite any vacancy or change in its membership.

Functions and powers of Regulatory Authority.

33C.—(1) The Regulatory Authority has the following functions:

(a) to perform the functions the Bank has under or in respect of the enactments and statutory instruments specified in Schedule 2;

(b) in respect of functions of the Bank under sections 18 and 23 of the Central Bank Act 1971 —

(i) in so far as relates to the performance of functions imposed on the Regulatory Authority by this section, to perform those functions of the Bank, and

(ii) in any other case and by agreement with the Governor, to contribute to the performance of those functions of the Bank;

(c) whenever requested to do so, to provide the Governor and the Board with advice, information and assistance with respect to the performance of their respective functions under the Central Bank Acts;

(d) to perform such other functions as are expressly imposed on it by this or under any other Act or law.

(2) (a) The Minister may, after consulting the Bank, by order notified in Iris Oifigiúil, add—

(i) to Part 1 of Schedule 2 any specified enactment, or

(ii) to Part 2 of that Schedule any specified statutory instrument,

under or in respect of which functions of the Bank are to be performed by the Regulatory Authority.

(b) An order under paragraph (a) may be limited to specified entities, or categories of entities, to which the enactments or statutory instruments apply.

(3) In performing its functions and exercising its powers, the Regulatory Authority is required to promote the best interests of users of financial services in a way that is consistent with—

(a) the orderly and proper functioning of financial markets, and

(b) the orderly and prudent supervision of providers of those services.

(4) Without limiting subsection (3), the Regulatory Authority shall take such action as it considers appropriate to increase awareness among members of the public of available financial services and the cost to consumers, risks and benefits associated with the provision of those services. None of the following is liable to pay damages arising out of a failure to comply with this subsection:

(a) the Bank;

(b) a member of the Board;

(c) an employee of the Bank;

(d) a member of the Regulatory Authority;

(e) the Registrar of Credit Unions;

(f) an agent of the Bank or of its constituent parts.

(5) So far as consistent with Part II and this Part, the Regulatory Authority has power to do whatever is necessary for or in connection with, or reasonably incidental to, the performance of its functions.

(6) The Regulatory Authority may, in relation to the functions and powers of the Bank that the Authority is to perform or may exercise, bring and defend legal proceedings, and do any other thing, in the name of the Bank. This subsection does not apply to prosecutions for offences arising under the designated enactments and designated statutory instruments or proceedings for the recovery of amounts of levies or fees prescribed under section 33J or 33K.

(7) The Regulatory Authority is required to perform its functions and exercise its powers in a way that is consistent with the Rome Treaty and the ESCB Statute.

(8) In performing its functions and exercising its powers, the Regulatory Authority has a duty to act in a way that is consistent with the performance by the Governor and the Board of their respective functions in relation to the Bank. For the purpose of verifying compliance with that duty, the Regulatory Authority shall provide the Governor or the Board with such information as the Governor or the Board reasonably require or as it considers appropriate.

(9) If any matter relating to the financial stability of the State's financial system arises in connection with the performance or exercise by the Regulatory Authority of its functions or powers, that Authority shall consult the Governor on that matter. Where the Regulatory Authority considers it prudent in the circumstances it may send a report to the Minister on any matter to which this subsection relates. The Regulatory Authority may otherwise act on that matter only with the agreement of the Governor. For the purpose of this subsection, ‘matter’ includes (but is not limited to) the issue, revocation and suspension of a licence or other authority.

(10) The Regulatory Authority can perform its functions and exercise its powers both within the State and elsewhere.

(11) If—

(a) the performance of a function or the exercise of a power by the Bank is dependent on its opinion, belief or state of mind in relation to a matter, and

(b) the function or power is, by this section, to be performed by the Regulatory Authority,

that Authority is required to perform the function or exercise the power in relation to the matter on the basis of its own opinion, belief or state of mind.

(12) Any act, matter or thing done in the name of, or on behalf of, the Bank by the Regulatory Authority in the performance or exercise of that Authority's functions or powers is taken to have been done by the Bank.

(13) The fact that the Regulatory Authority is required to perform functions, and is authorised to exercise powers, of the Bank by virtue of this section does not affect the status of the Bank as a competent authority for the purposes of any European Union directive or regulation under which the Bank is such an authority.

Regulatory Authority to comply with certain guidelines.

33D.—(1) Either the Governor or the Board may, with respect to the functions of the Governor or the Board, issue to the Regulatory Authority guidelines as to the policies and principles that that Authority is required to implement in performing functions, or exercising powers, of the Bank.

(2) The Regulatory Authority is required to comply with guidelines issued to it under this section.

(3) Guidelines issued by the Governor or the Board under this section shall be in writing and the Governor or the Board, as the case may be, shall cause them to be published in Iris Oifigiúil as soon as practicable after they are issued.

Membership of Regulatory Authority.

33E.—(1) The Regulatory Authority comprises no fewer than 8 and no more than 10 members, of whom—

(a) one is the Chief Executive, and

(b) one is the Consumer Director, and

(c) no fewer than 6 and no more than 8 are persons appointed by the Minister for Finance after consulting the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

(2) Instead of appointing a person under subsection (1)(c), the Minister may designate the holder of a specified office as an official member of the Regulatory Authority. Whoever is for the time being the holder of such an office is an official member of that Authority.

(3) A person is not eligible for appointment under subsection (1)(c) if the person—

(a) is a member of either House of the Oireachtas or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member or is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann, or

(b) is a member of the European Parliament or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member or to fill a vacancy in the membership of that Parliament, or

(c) is a member of a local authority or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member.

(4) Schedule 3 has effect with respect to the Regulatory Authority and its members.

Appointment of Chief Executive of the Regulatory Authority.

33F.—(1) The other members of the Regulatory Authority shall appoint a person as the Chief Executive of that Authority. Other than the appointment of the first Chief Executive (which is provided for by paragraph 4 of Schedule 3 to the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Act 2003), the appointment of a Chief Executive under this section shall only be made after the holding of a public open competition for that position.

(2) A person appointed as Chief Executive holds office for such period, not exceeding 5 years, as is specified in the document of appointment, unless the person previously ceases to hold that office as provided by this section.

(3) The other members of the Regulatory Authority may appoint a person holding office as the Chief Executive for a further period, not exceeding 5 years, to take effect at the end of the person's current period of appointment. This subsection applies whether the person was appointed under subsection (1) or this subsection.

(4) An appointment under this section does not take effect until the Minister approves it.

(5) A person is not eligible for appointment as Chief Executive if the person—

(a) is a member of either House of the Oireachtas or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member or is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann, or

(b) is a member of the European Parliament or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member or to fill a vacancy in the membership of that Parliament, or

(c) is a member of a local authority or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member.

(6) A person appointed under this section holds office on such conditions of employment as are specified in the person's document of appointment or are later agreed between the person and the other members of the Regulatory Authority.

(7) The Chief Executive may engage in other remunerative employment only with the consent of the other members of the Regulatory Authority.

(8) The Chief Executive is subject to the control of the other members of the Regulatory Authority and, except as regards voting at meetings of that Authority, is required to comply with any lawful directions given by those members with respect to the carrying out of the Chief Executive's responsibilities.

(9) A person ceases to hold office as Chief Executive if the person—

(a) dies, or

(b) completes a term of office and is not re-appointed, or

(c) resigns the office by notice in writing addressed to the Chairperson, or

(d) is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as a member of either House of the Oireachtas or is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann, or

(e) is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as a member of the European Parliament or to fill a vacancy in the membership of that Parliament, or

(f) is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as a member of a local authority, or

(g) is adjudged bankrupt (either in the State or elsewhere) or enters into a composition with the person's creditors, or

(h) becomes physically or mentally incapable of performing the duties of Chief Executive, or

(i) is convicted of an offence (either in the State or elsewhere) and sentenced to serve a term of imprisonment for the offence, or

(j) is removed from office under subsection (10).

(10) The other members of the Regulatory Authority may remove or suspend the Chief Executive from office, but only for reasons notified in writing to the Chief Executive.

Appointment of acting Chief Executive in certain cases.

33G.—(1) The other members of the Regulatory Authority may appoint a qualified person to act in the office of the Chief Executive—

(a) during the illness or absence of a holder of that office, or

(b) while the holder is suspended from office, or

(c) during a vacancy in that office.

A person so appointed has, while acting as Chief Executive, all the responsibilities and powers of that office.

(2) The other members of the Regulatory Authority may, at any time, remove from office a person who is acting as Chief Executive.

(3) If a person is to be appointed under this section for a period of more than 6 months, the appointment does not take effect until the Minister approves it.

(4) An acting Chief Executive is entitled to be paid such remuneration (including travelling and subsistence allowances) as the other members of the Regulatory Authority determine from time to time.

(5) A person is a qualified person for the purposes of this section if the person is—

(a) an officer of the Bank, or

(b) an employee of the Bank.

Responsibilities of Chief Executive of the Regulatory Authority.

33H.—(1) The Chief Executive is responsible for—

(a) bringing proceedings for offences arising under the designated enactments and designated statutory instruments, and

(b) exercising the day-to-day management of the Regulatory Authority, and

(c) performing the functions expressly imposed on the Chief Executive by other provisions of this Part, and

(d) carrying out such other responsibilities with respect to the functions and powers of the Regulatory Authority as may be imposed on the Chief Executive by that Authority.

(2) The Chief Executive has power to do whatever is necessary for or in connection with, or reasonably incidental to, carrying out the Chief Executive's responsibilities.

(3) In carrying out or exercising the Chief Executive's responsibilities or powers, the Chief Executive shall, as far as reasonably practicable, ensure that the resources of the Regulatory Authority allocated for carrying out those responsibilities or exercising powers are used effectively, efficiently and economically.

Chairperson of the Regulatory Authority.

33I.—(1) The Minister for Finance is to appoint one of the members, other than the Chief Executive or the Consumer Director, to be Chairperson of the Regulatory Authority.

(2) A member appointed as Chairperson holds office for 5 years from the date of the member's appointment as such, unless the member previously ceases to hold that office as provided by this section.

(3) A member holding office as Chairperson ceases to hold that office if the member—

(a) resigns from that office by notice in writing given to the Minister, or

(b) ceases to be a member.

(4) A person who ceases to be Chairperson because the person has ceased to be a member is eligible for re-appointment as Chairperson if the person is re-appointed as a member.

Power to impose levies.

33J.—(1) The purpose of this section is to enable the Regulatory Authority to have sufficient funds to enable it to perform its functions and exercise its powers.

(2) The Chief Executive, with the agreement of the other members of the Regulatory Authority, may make regulations prescribing levies to be paid by persons who are subject to regulation under the designated enactments and designated statutory instruments.

(3) In particular, regulations under subsection (2) may provide for any of the following matters:

(a) the activities, services or other matters for which specified kinds of levies are payable;

(b) the persons, or classes of persons, who are required to pay specified kinds of levies;

(c) the amounts of specified kinds of levies;

(d) the periods in respect of which, or the dates by which, specified levies are to be paid to the Regulatory Authority;

(e) penalties that are payable by a person who fails to pay a levy on time;

(f) the keeping of records, and the making of returns to the Regulatory Authority, by persons who are liable to pay a specified levy;

(g) the collection and recovery of levies.

(4) Regulations made under this section do not take effect until approved by the Minister.

(5) A levy prescribed in respect of credit unions is to be fixed so that the total amounts of levies collected or recovered from credit unions does not exceed the total amount of costs incurred in performing the functions and exercising the powers of the Bank under the Credit Union Act 1997 .

(6) The Chief Executive may, by proceedings brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, recover as a debt an amount of levy payable under regulations in force under this section.

(7) The Chief Executive may refund the whole or a part of a levy prescribed under this section, but only with the agreement of the other members of the Regulatory Authority.

(8) The Chief Executive can amend or revoke a regulation made under this section, but only with the agreement of the other members of the Regulatory Authority.

(9) An amendment or revocation of regulations made under this section does not take effect until approved by the Minister.

(10) In this section, ‘levy’ does not include a fee.

Power of Chief Executive to prescribe fees.

33K.—(1) The Chief Executive may, with the agreement of the other members of the Regulatory Authority, make regulations prescribing fees for the purpose of any enactment that provides for the payment of a fee by reference to this section.

(2) The Chief Executive may, with the agreement of the other members of the Regulatory Authority, make regulations providing for all or any of the following matters:

(a) the persons, or classes of persons, who are required to pay specified kinds of fees;

(b) the amounts of specified kinds of fees;

(c) the collection of fees.

(3) Regulations of the kind referred to in subsection (2) may be included in regulations made under subsection (1).

(4) Regulations made under this section do not take effect until approved by the Minister.

(5) The Chief Executive may, by proceedings brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, recover as a debt an amount of fee payable under regulations in force under this section.

(6) The Chief Executive may refund the whole or a part of a fee prescribed under this section, but only with the agreement of the other members of the Regulatory Authority.

(7) The Chief Executive may amend or revoke a regulation made under this section, but only with the agreement of the other members of the Regulatory Authority.

(8) An amendment or revocation of regulations made under this section does not take effect until approved by the Minister.

(9) The Public Offices Fees Act 1879 does not apply to fees prescribed under this section.

Provision of funds by Bank to Regulatory Authority to meet shortfall.

33L.—(1) If at any time it appears to the Board that the funds raised from levies and fees prescribed by regulations in force under sections 33J and 33K are, or are likely to be, insufficient to enable the Regulatory Authority to properly perform its functions and exercise its powers, the Bank may provide the Authority with such funds as the Board considers necessary to enable the Authority to perform its functions and exercise its powers.

(2) The provision of funds under this section is subject to such conditions as the Board thinks fit to impose.

(3)  (a)  The Board may provide funds under this section only after the Minister has approved the amount of the funds concerned and the conditions (if any) subject to which those funds are to be provided.

(b) Before deciding whether or not to give approval under paragraph (a), the Minister is required to consult with the Governor and the Governor may express his or her opinion on the amount of funds concerned, so far as it could affect—

(i) the carrying out by the Bank of its obligations with respect to the promotion of the financial stability of the State, and

(ii) the performance of the functions of the Bank in its capacity as a member of the European System of Central Banks.

(4) In approving any amount of funds under subsection (3), the Minister is required to have regard to the functions and powers of the Bank under the Rome Treaty and the ESCB Statute.

Regulatory Authority to keep proper accounts.

33M.—(1) The Regulatory Authority shall keep accounting records that properly record and explain its transactions.

(2) The Regulatory Authority shall, as soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, provide the Bank with sufficient information about that Authority's financial affairs as will enable the Bank to comply with section 6H(2) for that year.

(3) The Regulatory Authority shall ensure that its accounting records comply with any accounting standards notified to that Authority in writing by either the Board or the Governor.

(4) The Regulatory Authority shall keep its accounting records for 6 years after the transactions to which they relate are completed and may, at the end of that period, either retain those records or dispose of them in such manner as it considers appropriate. This subsection has effect despite any other enactment to the contrary.

(5) The Regulatory Authority is required to make the records available at all reasonable times for inspection—

(a) by any member of the Board, or

(b) by any member of that Authority who is not a member of the Board, or

(c) by the Comptroller and Auditor General that is required for the performance of that officer's functions or by a person employed in the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Regulatory Authority to prepare annual estimate of income and expenditure.

33N.—(1) Not later than 3 months before the beginning of each financial year, or within such extended period as the Minister may allow, the Regulatory Authority shall—

(a) prepare a statement setting out estimates of its income and expenditure for that year, and

(b) submit the statement to the Minister for approval of so much of the statement as relates to paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (2).

(2) The statement must—

(a) specify the amounts expected to be collected and recovered during the financial year concerned from the imposition of levies under section 33J, and

(b) specify any other sources from which funds are expected to be obtained during that year to finance the Regulatory Authority's activities and the amounts expected to be raised from those sources, and

(c) specify the activities that the Regulatory Authority proposes to undertake during that year.

(3) Before submitting the statement to the Minister for approval for the purposes of subsection (1)(b), the Regulatory Authority shall provide the Governor with particulars of the estimates referred to in subsection (1)(a). As soon as practicable after being provided with those particulars, the Governor shall give the Regulatory Authority the Governor's views on those estimates, but only in so far as they affect—

(a) the carrying out by the Bank of its obligations with respect to the promotion of the financial stability of the State, and

(b) the performance of the functions of the Bank in its capacity as a member of the European System of Central Banks.

(4) The Minister is required to consult both the Governor and the Board before giving approval for the purposes of subsection (1)(b).

(5) In giving approval for the purposes of subsection (1)(b), the Minister may so approve either without amendment or with such amendment as may be agreed with the Regulatory Authority. The statement, as may be so amended, shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it has been approved. In exercising the power conferred by this subsection, the Minister is required to have regard to the functions and powers of the Bank under the Rome Treaty and the ESCB Statute.

Regulatory Authority to provide Minister with annual report and other reports.

33O.—(1) (a) The Regulatory Authority is required to prepare and provide the Minister with—

(i) an annual report, and

(ii) from time to time, such other reports,

relating to the performance of its functions and the exercise of its powers as the Minister may from time to time specify.

(b) As soon as practicable after receiving a copy of the Regulatory Authority's annual report, the Minister shall arrange for a copy of that report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

(2) The Regulatory Authority may not provide information in a report under subsection (1) relating to a matter if to do so would contravene a provision of a law of the State or would be inconsistent with the Rome Treaty or the ESCB Statute. However, this subsection does not prevent that Authority from including confidential information in such a report if the information—

(a) is included with the consent of the person who provided the information, or

(b) relates to a Director, a member of the Regulatory Authority or a person employed by or within the Bank.

Regulatory Authority to prepare strategic plan.

33P.—(1) The Regulatory Authority shall, at least 3 months before the beginning of each financial year—

(a) prepare for the year a strategic plan that complies with this section, and

(b) submit the plan to the Minister.

(2) A strategic plan must specify—

(a) the objectives of the Regulatory Authority's activities for the financial year concerned, and

(b) the nature and scope of the activities to be undertaken, and

(c) the strategies and policies for achieving those objectives, and

(d) targets and criteria for assessing the performance of the Authority, and

(e) the uses for which it is proposed to apply the Authority's resources.

(3) If the Minister has in writing notified the Regulatory Authority of any requirements with respect to the form in which its strategic plan is to be prepared, the plan must comply with those requirements.

(4) As soon as practicable after receiving the Regulatory Authority's strategic plan, the Minister shall arrange for the plan to be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.

(5) As soon as practicable after becoming aware that subsection (4) has been complied with, the Regulatory Authority shall publish its strategic plan and take all reasonably practical steps to implement it.

Chapter 2

Consumer Director

Appointment of Consumer Director.

33Q.—(1) The other members of the Regulatory Authority shall appoint a person as the Consumer Director of that Authority.

(2) A person appointed as Consumer Director holds office for a period not exceeding 5 years from the date of appointment, unless the person previously ceases to hold that office as provided by this section.

(3) The other members of the Regulatory Authority may appoint a person holding office as the Consumer Director for a further period, not exceeding 5 years, to take effect at the end of the person's current period of appointment. This subsection applies whether the person was appointed under subsection (1) or this subsection.

(4) An appointment under this section does not take effect until the Minister approves it.

(5) A person is not eligible for appointment as Consumer Director if the person—

(a) is a member of either House of the Oireachtas or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member or is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann, or

(b) is a member of the European Parliament or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member or to fill a vacancy in the membership of that Parliament, or

(c) is a member of a local authority or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member.

(6) A person appointed as Consumer Director holds office on such conditions of employment as are specified in the person's document of appointment or are later agreed between the person and the other members of the Regulatory Authority.

(7) The Consumer Director may engage in other remunerative employment only with the consent of the other members of the Regulatory Authority.

(8) A person ceases to hold office as Consumer Director if the person—

(a) dies, or

(b) completes a term of office and is not re-appointed, or

(c) resigns the office by notice in writing addressed to the other members of the Regulatory Authority, or

(d) is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as a member of either House of the Oireachtas or is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann, or

(e) is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as a member of the European Parliament or to fill a vacancy in the membership of that Parliament, or

(f) is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as a member of a local authority, or

(g) is adjudged bankrupt (either in the State or elsewhere) or enters into a composition with the person's creditors, or

(h) becomes physically or mentally incapable of performing the duties of Consumer Director, or

(i) is convicted of an offence (either in the State or elsewhere) and sentenced to serve a term of imprisonment for the offence, or

(j) is removed from office under subsection (9).

(9) The other members of the Regulatory Authority may (but only after consulting the Minister) remove or suspend the Consumer Director from office, but only for reasons notified in writing to the Consumer Director.

Appointment of acting Consumer Director in certain cases.

33R.—(1) The other members of the Regulatory Authority may, from time to time, appoint a qualified person to act in the office of Consumer Director—

(a) during the illness or absence of the holder of that office, or

(b) while the holder is suspended from office, or

(c) during a vacancy in that office.

A person so appointed has, while acting as Consumer Director, all the responsibilities and powers of that office.

(2) If a person is to be appointed under this section for a period of more than 6 months, the appointment does not take effect until the Minister approves it.

(3) The other members of the Regulatory Authority may, at any time, remove from office a person appointed under this section.

(4) A person appointed under this section is entitled to be paid such remuneration (including travelling and subsistence allowances) as the other members of the Regulatory Authority determine from time to time.

(5) A person is a qualified person for the purposes of this section if the person is an employee of the Bank.

Responsibilities of Consumer Director.

33S.—(1) The Consumer Director is responsible—

(a) for managing the performance and exercise of such of the functions and powers of the Bank under the enactments and statutory instruments specified in subsection (2) as the other members of the Regulatory Authority notify to the Consumer Director in writing from time to time, and

(b) for monitoring the provision of financial services to consumers of those services to the extent that the Consumer Director considers appropriate, having regard to the public interest and to the interests of those consumers.

(2) The following are the enactments and statutory instruments referred to in subsection (1)(a):

(a) the Consumer Credit Act 1995 , in so far as that Act relates to the performance or exercise of functions or powers of the Bank;

(b) sections 37 and 52 of the Investment Intermediaries Act 1995 , and section 23 of that Act (but only in so far as that section provides for the protection of investors);

(c) sections 38 and 52 of the Stock Exchange Act 1995 , and section 31 of that Act (but only in so far as that section provides for the protection of investors);

(d) section 117 of the Central Bank Act 1989 (but only in so far as that section relates to consumers of financial services);

(e) sections 43B to 43FF of the Insurance Act 1989 , and section 61 of that Act (but only in so far as that section relates to consumers of financial services);

(f) such other enactments, and such statutory instruments, as are specified in the regulations.

(3) The Consumer Director has power to do whatever is necessary for or in connection with, or reasonably incidental to, carrying out the responsibilities imposed by subsection (1).

(4) The Consumer Director shall manage the functions and powers of the Bank referred to in subsection (1)(a) in a way that is consistent with—

(a) the orderly and proper functioning of financial markets, and

(b) the prudential supervision of providers of financial services.

(5) In managing the functions and powers of the Bank referred to in subsection (1)(a), the Consumer Director shall, as far as reasonably practicable, ensure that the resources of the Bank allocated for the performance and exercise of those functions and powers are used effectively, efficiently and economically.

(6) The Consumer Director may issue codes or impose requirements under an enactment or statutory instrument referred to in subsection (2), but only in the name of the Regulatory Authority and after those codes or requirements have been approved by the other members of the Regulatory Authority.

(7) In carrying out the responsibilities and exercising the powers imposed or conferred by this section, the Consumer Director is, through the Chief Executive, subject to the control of the other members of the Regulatory Authority and is required to comply with any lawful directions given by those other members with respect to the carrying out of those responsibilities or the exercise of those powers.

(8) Nothing in this section precludes the Regulatory Authority from itself performing a function, or exercising a power, of the Bank referred to in subsection (1)(a).

(9) The Regulatory Authority may require the Consumer Director to assist it in relation to the exercise of any other matter for, or in connection with, or reasonably incidental to functions to be carried out by the Consumer Director.

Consumer Director to prepare annual report.

33T.—(1) The Consumer Director shall, not later than 2 months after the end of a financial year—

(a) prepare an annual report specifying the activities of that Director during that year, and

(b) submit the report to the Regulatory Authority.

(2) An annual report must be in such form and deal with such matters as the Chief Executive has notified to the Consumer Director after consulting the Regulatory Authority.

(3) In particular, an annual report must include information specifying—

(a) how far the Consumer Director has promoted the interests of consumers of relevant financial services during the financial year concerned, and

(b) what steps have been taken by the Regulatory Authority to increase the awareness of consumers of relevant financial services of the cost to consumers, risks and benefits involved in using those services, and

(c) the extent to which competition exists among providers of those services in so far as it affects consumers of those services, and

(d) developments that have taken place with respect to the provision of those services in so far as those developments affect consumers of those services.

(4) This section does not oblige the Consumer Director to identify specific costs to consumers, risks or benefits in relation to the provision of a relevant financial service.

(5) Nothing in this section precludes the Consumer Director from communicating directly with the Registrar of Credit Unions on any matter.

(6) In this section, ‘relevant financial service’ means a financial service the provision of which is subject to regulation by the Regulatory Authority under the designated enactments and the designated statutory instruments.

Consumer Director to provide information, reports and advice to Chief Executive.

33U.—(1) The Consumer Director is required to provide the Chief Executive with such information, reports and advice relating to the performance and exercise of that Director's responsibilities and powers as the Chief Executive requires from time to time.

(2) The Consumer Director is also required to provide the Chief Executive with such reports and advice relating to matters connected with that Director's responsibilities and powers as the Chief Executive requires from time to time.

Consumer Director to prepare strategic plan.

33V.—(1) The Consumer Director shall, at least 3 months before the beginning of each financial year—

(a) prepare for the year a draft strategic plan that complies with this section, and

(b) submit the draft plan to the Chief Executive for approval.

(2) A draft strategic plan must specify—

(a) the objectives of the Consumer Director for the financial year concerned, and

(b) the nature and scope of the activities to be undertaken, and

(c) the strategies and policies for achieving those objectives and how the resources allocated to the Consumer Director are proposed to be used, and

(d) targets and criteria for assessing the performance of the Consumer Director.

(3) If the Chief Executive has notified the Consumer Director of any requirements with respect to the form in which a draft strategic plan is to be prepared, that Director shall ensure that the plan complies with those requirements.

(4) The Chief Executive may approve a strategic plan either with or without amendment.

(5) On being approved under subsection (4), a draft strategic plan prepared for a financial year becomes the strategic plan for the Consumer Director for that year. The Consumer Director is required to take all reasonably practical steps to implement that plan.

(6) Nothing in this section precludes the Consumer Director from reporting directly to the Regulatory Authority on any matter.

Chapter 3

Registrar of Credit Unions

Interpretation: Chapter 3.

33W.—In this chapter, ‘Registrar’ means the Registrar of Credit Unions.

Appointment of Registrar of Credit Unions.

33X.—(1) The Regulatory Authority is to appoint a person as the Registrar of Credit Unions.

(2) A person appointed as Registrar holds office for a period not exceeding 5 years from the date of appointment, unless the person previously ceases to hold that office as provided by this section.

(3) The Regulatory Authority may appoint a person holding office as Registrar for a further period, not exceeding 5 years, to take effect at the end of the person's current period of appointment. This subsection applies whether the person was appointed under subsection (1) or this subsection.

(4) The appointment of a person as Registrar does not take effect until the Minister approves it.

(5) A person is not eligible for appointment as Registrar if the person—

(a) is a member of either House of the Oireachtas or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member or is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann, or

(b) is a member of the European Parliament or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member or to fill a vacancy in the membership of that Parliament, or

(c) is a member of a local authority or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member.

(6) A person appointed as Registrar holds office on such conditions of employment as are specified in the person's document of appointment or are later agreed between the person and the Regulatory Authority.

(7) The Registrar may engage in other remunerative employment only with the consent of the members of the Regulatory Authority.

(8) A person ceases to hold office as Registrar if the person—

(a) dies, or

(b) completes a term of office and is not re-appointed, or

(c) resigns the office by notice in writing addressed to the members of the Regulatory Authority, or

(d) is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as a member of either House of the Oireachtas or is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann, or

(e) is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as a member of the European Parliament or to fill a vacancy in the membership of that Parliament, or

(f) is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as a member of a local authority, or

(g) is adjudged bankrupt (either in the State or elsewhere) or enters into a composition with the person's creditors, or

(h) becomes physically or mentally incapable of performing the duties of Registrar, or

(i) is convicted of an offence (either in the State or elsewhere) and sentenced to serve a term of imprisonment for the offence, or

(j) is removed from office under subsection (9).

(9) The Regulatory Authority may (but only after consulting the Minister) remove or suspend the Registrar from office, but only for reasons notified in writing to the Registrar.

Appointment of acting Registrar of Credit Unions in certain cases.

33Y.—(1) The Regulatory Authority may, from time to time, appoint a qualified person to act in the office of Registrar—

(a) during the illness or absence of the holder of that office, or

(b) while the holder is suspended from office, or

(c) during a vacancy in that office.

A person so appointed has, while acting as Registrar, all the responsibilities and powers of that office.

(2) If a person is to be appointed under this section for a period of more than 6 months, the appointment does not take effect until the Minister approves it.

(3) The Regulatory Authority may, at any time, remove from office a person who is appointed under this section as Registrar.

(4) A person appointed under this section is entitled to be paid such remuneration (including travelling and subsistence allowances) as the Regulatory Authority determines from time to time.

(5) A person is a qualified person for the purposes of this section if the person is an employee of the Bank.

Signature of Registrar of Credit Unions.

33Z.—A signature purporting to be that of the Registrar is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, to be presumed for all purposes to be that of the holder of that office.

Responsibilities and powers of Registrar of Credit Unions.

33AA.—(1) The Registrar is responsible—

(a) as the delegate of the Regulatory Authority, for managing the performance and exercise of the functions and powers of the Bank under the Credit Union Act 1997 , and

(b) if management of the performance and exercise of the functions and powers of the Bank under any other Act or law are delegated to the Registrar, for managing the performance and exercise of those functions and powers.

(2) The Registrar has power to do whatever is necessary for or in connection with, or reasonably incidental to, carrying out the Registrar's responsibilities.

(3) In carrying out or exercising the Registrar's responsibilities or powers, the Registrar shall, as far as reasonably practicable, ensure that the resources of the Regulatory Authority allocated for carrying out those responsibilities or exercising powers are used effectively, efficiently and economically.

(4)  (a) In carrying out the responsibilities and exercising the powers imposed or conferred by this section, the Registrar is, through the Chief Executive, subject to the control of the Regulatory Authority and is required to comply with directions duly given by that Authority with respect to the carrying out of those responsibilities or the exercise of those powers.

(b) Any directions given in accordance with paragraph (a) shall be given within the scope of either or both—

(i) the Credit Union Act 1997 in respect of any functions and powers to which subsection (1)(a) relates, and

(ii) such other Act or law as may be relevant in respect of any functions or powers, the management of which stands delegated to the Registrar under subsection (1)(b).

(c) In issuing directions to the Registrar under this subsection which relate to the exercise of the functions and powers referred to in subsection (1)(a), the Regulatory Authority shall have regard to the particular nature of credit unions, in particular, by reference to—

(i) the conditions for the registration of a credit union as set out in section 6 of the Credit Union Act 1997 and to the objects and common bonds referred to in that section, and

(ii) the voluntary ethos of credit unions.

(5) The Regulatory Authority shall, from time to time, issue to the Registrar guidelines, not inconsistent with any law, with respect to consultation and co-operation with prescribed bodies and persons on matters concerning the functions and powers of those bodies and persons. The Registrar is required to comply with any such guidelines.

(6) The following bodies and persons are prescribed for the purposes of subsection (5):

(a) the Board;

(b) the Governor;

(c) the Regulatory Authority and the members of that Authority;

(d) the employees of the Bank.

(7) The Registrar is required to provide the Consumer Director with such information and assistance as the Consumer Director requests in relation to any complaint made by a person to that Director with respect to the conduct of a credit union.

Regulatory Authority to provide Registrar with adequate funds.

33AB.—(1) The Regulatory Authority is required to provide the Registrar with such funds as the Authority considers necessary to enable the Registrar to carry out the responsibilities and exercise the powers of the Registrar.

(2) The provision of funds under this section is subject to such conditions as the Regulatory Authority thinks fit to impose.

Registrar to prepare annual report.

33AC.—(1) The Registrar shall, not later than the end of September in each year—

(a) prepare an annual report specifying the activities of the Registrar during that year, and

(b) submit the report to the Regulatory Authority.

(2) The report must be in such form and deal with such matters as the Chief Executive has, after consulting the Regulatory Authority, notified to the Registrar.

Registrar to provide information, reports and advice to Chief Executive.

33AD.—The Registrar is required to provide the Chief Executive with such information relating to the performance and exercise of the Registrar's responsibilities and powers as the Chief Executive requires from time to time. That information may include (but is not limited to) information relating to—

(a) the use by the Registrar of the resources of the Bank that have been allocated for the performance and exercise of those responsibilities and powers, and

(b) the value of outcomes and outputs derived from the use of those resources.

Registrar to prepare strategic plan.

33AE.—(1) The Registrar shall, at least 3 months before the beginning of each financial year—

(a) prepare for the year a draft strategic plan that complies with this section, and

(b) submit the draft plan to the Regulatory Authority for approval.

(2) A draft strategic plan must specify—

(a) the objectives of the Registrar for the financial year concerned, and

(b) the nature and scope of the activities to be undertaken, and

(c) the strategies and policies for achieving those objectives and how the resources allocated to the Registrar are proposed to be used, and

(d) targets and criteria for assessing the performance of the Registrar.

(3) If the Regulatory Authority has notified the Registrar of any requirements with respect to the form in which a draft strategic plan is to be prepared, the Registrar shall take such steps as are necessary to ensure that the plan complies with those requirements.

(4) The Regulatory Authority may approve a strategic plan either with or without amendment.

(5) On being approved under subsection (4), a draft strategic plan prepared for a financial year becomes the strategic plan for the Registrar for that year. The Registrar is required to take all reasonably practical steps to implement that plan.

Registrar to keep proper accounts.

33AF.—(1) The Registrar shall keep accounting records that properly record and explain the Registrar's transactions.

(2) The Registrar shall, as soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, provide the Bank with sufficient information about the financial affairs of the Registrar as will enable the Bank to comply with section 6H(2) for that year.

(3) The Registrar shall ensure that the accounting records kept under this section comply with any accounting standards notified to the Registrar in writing by the Chief Executive.

(4) The Registrar is required to retain the accounting records for at least 6 years after the transactions to which they relate are completed.

(5) The Registrar is required to make the accounting records available at all reasonable times for inspection by any member of the Regulatory Authority.

PART IIIB

Provisions Applicable to the Bank and its Constituent Parts

Superannuation schemes for the benefit of officers and employees of Bank and its constituent parts.

33AG.—(1) This section applies to and in respect of the following persons:

(a) the Governor and former Governors;

(b) Directors and former Directors;

(c) members and former members of the Regulatory Authority;

(d) employees and former employees of the Bank.

(2) The Bank may establish and operate one or more superannuation schemes under which superannuation benefits are payable on the retirement or death of persons to whom this section applies. However, such a scheme does not take effect until it has been approved by the Minister.

(3) A superannuation scheme established under this section is to be embodied in rules made by the Bank. Those rules must provide for the operation of the scheme and, in particular, for—

(a) the making of contributions (including contributions by the Bank) towards the superannuation benefits to be paid under the scheme, and

(b) the payment of those benefits to or in respect of persons to whom this section applies.

(4) As soon as practicable after establishing a superannuation scheme or superannuation schemes under this section, the Bank shall establish a trust fund for holding contributions made to the scheme or to each of those schemes and for the payment of superannuation benefits under the scheme or schemes. However, if the Bank establishes two or more such superannuation schemes, a single trust fund may be established in respect of all or a group of those schemes.

(5) As soon as practicable after establishing a trust fund under this section, the Bank shall appoint two or more trustees to hold and operate the trust fund.

(6) The trustees of the trust fund relating to a superannuation scheme established under this section shall, from that fund, pay to or in respect of persons to whom this section applies on their retirement or death the appropriate superannuation benefits under the scheme.

(7) The Bank shall arrange for all rules made under this section to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as practicable after they are made. If either House, within the 21 days on which it has sat after the rules are laid before it, passes a resolution annulling the rules, the rules are accordingly annulled, but without affecting the validity of anything previously done under them.

(8) In this section—

‘retirement’, in relation to a person referred to in subsection (1)(a), (b) or (c), includes not being re-appointed after the end of the person's term of office;

‘superannuation benefit’ means a superannuation benefit payable to or in respect of a person to whom this section applies or, where such a person has died, to the spouse or a child of that person, and includes a pension, a retirement allowance and a gratuity.

Special provisions for superannuation schemes established under Currency Act 1927 and Central Bank Act 1989.

33AH.—(1) Despite the repeal of the Currency Act 1927 and section 15 of the Central Bank Act 1989, the following schemes continue to have effect:

(a) any scheme operating under section 31(4) of the Currency Act 1927 , immediately before the commencement of this section;

(b) any scheme operating under section 15 of the Central Bank Act 1989, immediately before that commencement.

(2) A scheme continued by this section is taken to be rules for the purposes of the Interpretation Act 1937 .

(3) The Bank may, with the approval of the Minister, merge with a superannuation scheme established under section 33AG a scheme continued by this section. However, the Minister may give that approval only if satisfied that the persons who have accrued rights under the scheme continued by this section will have benefits under the merged scheme that are no less favourable than those under the scheme so continued.

(4) The Bank may take such action as is necessary to effect a merger under subsection (3).

Provisions applicable to superannuation schemes established under section 33AG or continued under section 33AII.

33AI.—(1) If the Revenue Commissioners so determine, a superannuation scheme established under section 33AG or continued under section 33AH is an exempt approved scheme for the purposes of Chapter 1 of Part 30 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 .

(2) The Minister may determine a trust fund established for the purposes of a superannuation scheme established under section 33AG or continued under section 33AH to be public funds for the purposes of the Superannuation Act 1892.

(3) Section 30 of the Pensions (Increase) Act 1964 , applies to a superannuation scheme established under section 33AG or continued under section 33AH.

(4) A superannuation benefit is not payable under a superannuation scheme established under section 33AG or continued under section 33AH if the benefit relates to the same period of service as that in respect of which a superannuation benefit has been paid under another such scheme.

(5) For the purposes of this section, ‘superannuation benefit’ has the same meaning as in section 33AG.

Bank and associates not liable for certain acts and omissions.

33AJ.—(1) This section applies to the following persons:

(a) the Bank;

(b) the members of the Board and of the Regulatory Authority;

(c) the Registrar of Credit Unions;

(d) the Registrar of the Appeals Tribunal;

(e) employees of the Bank;

(f) agents of the Bank or of any of its constituent parts.

(2) A person to whom this section applies is not liable for damages for anything done or omitted in the performance or purported performance or exercise of any of its functions or powers, unless it is proved that the act or omission was in bad faith.

(3) The fact that the Bank has authorised or revoked the authorisation, or regulates the activities, of a person, under any of its functions is not a warranty by the Bank as to the person's solvency or performance.

(4) The fact that the Bank in performing any of its functions—

(a) has approved or revoked the approval, or regulates the affairs or activities, of a stock exchange or a financial futures and options exchange, or

(b) has approved, amended, revoked or imposed rules, or has consented or refused to consent to amendments of rules,

is not a warranty by the Bank as to the solvency or performance of the exchange or any member of the exchange.

(5) Neither the State nor the Bank is liable for losses incurred because of the insolvency, default or performance of a person or body referred to in subsection (3) or (4).

(6) Nothing in subsections (3) to (5) limits the effect of subsection (2).

(7) In this section, ‘agent’ includes a person appointed or authorised by the Bank, the Governor or the Chief Executive to perform any function or exercise a power under the Central Bank Acts or any other Act.

Disclosure of information.

33AK.—(1) (a) This subsection applies to the following persons:

(i) the Governor and every former Governor;

(ii) every Director and every former Director;

(iii) every member, member's deputy appointed under paragraph 4 of Schedule 3, former member's and former member's deputy who had been so appointed, of the Regulatory Authority;

(iv) the Chief Executive and every former Chief Executive;

(v) the Consumer Director and every former Consumer Director;

(vi) the Registrar of Credit Unions and every former Registrar of Credit Unions;

(vii) every other officer or employee and every other former officer or employee of the Bank;

(viii) every person who is or was formerly employed as a consultant, auditor or in any other capacity by the Bank or any constituent part of the Bank.

(b) A person to whom this subsection applies shall not disclose confidential information concerning—

(i) the business of any person or body whether corporate or incorporate that has come to the person's knowledge through the person's office or employment with the Bank, or

(ii) any matter arising in connection with the performance of the functions of the Bank or the exercise of its powers,

if such disclosure is prohibited by the Rome Treaty, the ESCB Statute or the Supervisory Directives.

(2)  (a) If requested by the Bank, the directors or those charged with the direction of a supervised entity shall, in accordance with paragraph (b), inform the Bank on the extent of any disclosure duly made by or on behalf of them or the entity to any authority, whether within the State or otherwise.

(b) Where a request is made under paragraph (a), the directors or those charged with the direction of a supervised entity shall give to the Bank all the information so requested that is in their possession or under their control, within—

(i) 30 days of receipt of the request, or

(ii) such longer period as the Bank may allow when making the request or subsequently.

(c) In responding to a request for information under this subsection, the directors or those charged with the direction of the supervised entity concerned shall exercise due diligence and shall not, by any act or omission, give or cause to be given to the Bank false or misleading information.

(3)  (a) Subject to subsection (1)(b) and paragraph (b), the Bank shall report, as appropriate, to—

(i) the Garda Síochána, or

(ii) the Revenue Commissioners, or

(iii) the Director of Corporate Enforcement, or

(iv) the Competition Authority, or

(v) any other body, whether within the State or otherwise, charged with the detection or investigation of a criminal offence, or

(vi) any other body charged with the detection or investigation of a contravention of—

(I) the Companies Acts 1963 to 2001, or

(II) the Competition Act 2002 , or in so far as any commencement order under that Act does not relate to the repeal of provisions of the Competition Acts 1991 and 1996, which would otherwise be subsisting those Acts,

any information relevant to that body that leads the Bank to suspect that—

(A) a criminal offence may have been committed by a supervised entity, or

(B) a supervised entity may have contravened a provision of an Act to which subparagraph (vi) relates.

(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply where the Bank is satisfied that the supervised entity has already reported the information concerned to the relevant body.

(c) Information contained in a report under paragraph (a) may only be used by the body to which it is addressed for the purposes of—

(i) the detection or investigation of a contravention of a provision of an Act to which paragraph (a)(vi) relates, or

(ii) any investigation which may lead to a prosecution for a criminal offence and any prosecution for the alleged offence.

(4) (a) In relation to a supervised entity, where the Bank identifies information—

(i) which it believes is or is likely to be material to an authority concerned with the enforcement of any law, and

(ii) which it believes it is unable, due to the provisions of subsection (1)(b), to disclose to that authority, and

(iii) in respect of which it is not satisfied that the information has been disclosed to that authority by the directors, or those charged with the direction, of the supervised entity,

then, the Bank shall issue to the directors or others duly charged with the direction of the supervised entity a document, to be known as a Disclosure Issue Notice, and the notice shall—

(I) specify the name of the authority concerned, and

(II) identify the information that the Bank has identified as causing it to issue the Disclosure Issue Notice.

(b) The Bank shall advise the authority concerned when a Disclosure Issue Notice is issued.

(c) Where a Disclosure Issue Notice is issued in respect of a company to which section 158 of the Companies Act 1963 applies (which relates to the directors' report), the directors' report shall comply with subsection (6B) of that section.

(5) Subject to subsection (1)(b), the Bank may disclose confidential information—

(a) required for the purposes of criminal proceedings, or

(b) with the consent of the person to whom the information relates and, if the information was obtained from another person, that other person, or

(c) where the Bank is or was the agent of a person — made to the person as the person's agent, or

(d) to an authority in a jurisdiction other than that of the State duly authorised to exercise functions similar to any one or more of the statutory functions of the Bank and which has obligations in respect of nondisclosure of information similar to the obligations imposed on the Bank under this section, or

(e) to any institution of the European Community because of the State's membership of the Community, or to the European Central Bank for the purpose of complying with the Rome Treaty or the ESCB Statute, or

(f) to an approved stock exchange, within the meaning of the Stock Exchange Act 1995 —

(i) in respect of member firms of the exchange for the purpose of monitoring compliance by member firms with stock exchange rules or with conditions or requirements imposed by the Bank, or with both, or

(ii) where the Bank considers it necessary to do so, either for the proper and orderly regulation of stock exchanges and their member firms or for the protection of investors, or for both, or

(g) to a financial futures and options exchange, within the meaning of section 97 of the Central Bank Act 1989, whose rules have been approved by the Bank under Chapter VIII of the Central Bank Act 1989—

(i) for the purpose of monitoring compliance by the members of that exchange with those rules or with conditions or requirements imposed by the Bank, or with both, or

(ii) where the Bank considers it necessary to do so for the proper and orderly regulation of futures and options exchanges and their members, or

(h) to—

(i) an inspector appointed under the Companies Acts 1963 to 2001, or section 57 of the Stock Exchange Act 1995 , or

(ii) a Committee appointed under section 65 of the Stock Exchange Act 1995 , or

(i) to a body that is a competent authority for the purpose of Council Directive 93/22/EEC of 10 May 1993 or Council Directive 93/6/EEC of 15 March 1993, or

(j) to an approved professional body—

(i) for the purpose of monitoring compliance by investment business firms with rules or with conditions or requirements imposed by the Bank, or

(ii) where the Bank considers it necessary to do so for the proper and orderly regulation of investment business firms, or

(k) to—

(i) a Committee appointed under section 74 of the Investment Intermediaries Act 1995 , or

(ii) a person nominated or approved of by a supervisory authority in accordance with section 51(2) of that Act, or

(iii) an inspector appointed by the Court under Part VIII of that Act, or

(l) to a product producer in respect of investment business services or investment advice provided by a restricted activity investment product intermediary who holds an appointment in writing from the producer under section 27 of the Investment Intermediaries Act 1995 , or

(m) to an officer of statistics (as defined by section 20 of the Statistics Act 1993 ) in connection with the collection, compilation, analysis or interpretation of data relating to balance of payments, national accounts or any other financial statistics prepared for those purposes, or

(n) for the purpose of complying with section 57(2) or 57A(3) of the Criminal Justice Act 1994 , or

(o) to the Comptroller and Auditor General that is required for the performance of that officer's functions or to a person employed in the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, or

(p) to an auditor to whom section 6H applies, or

(q) to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government in connection with that Minister's functions under the national housing programme with respect to a mortgage lender, or

(r) to the Investor Compensation Company Limited, or to a subsidiary of that company established by the Bank in order to provide administrative services to that company, or

(s) for the purposes of the hearing of an appeal by the Appeals Tribunal, or

(t) for the purpose of complying with a requirement imposed under section 33AM or by or under any other law, or

(u) where the Bank is in receipt of information from an authority in a jurisdiction other than the State duly authorised to exercise functions similar to one or more of the statutory functions of the Bank, made with the permission of that authority, or

(v) to a liquidator, examiner, receiver or any other person or body involved in the liquidation or bankruptcy of a supervised entity in relation to that entity, in accordance with the Supervisory Directives, where applicable, or

(w) to the auditor of a supervised entity in relation to that entity, in accordance with the Supervisory Directives, where applicable, or

(x) to any body established under law for the purposes of overseeing auditors, in accordance with the terms of the Supervisory Directives, where applicable, or

(y) to the Director of Corporate Enforcement for the purpose of any investigation under Part II (as amended) of the Companies Act 1990 , or to an officer of the Director for the purposes of the Director's functions and in accordance with the terms of the Supervisory Directives, where applicable, or

(z) to the Minister in accordance with the terms of the Supervisory Directives in relation to the Minister's responsibility for legislation on the supervision of supervised entities or to an inspector, appointed by the Minister and acting on the Minister's behalf, or

(aa) in accordance with Article 25(7) of Council Directive 93/22/EEC of 10 May 1993 on investment services in the securities field, to a body which has the function of providing clearing or settlement services for one of the State's markets where necessary for the performance of its functions, or

(ab) in accordance with the terms of Council Directive 92/49/EEC of 18 June 1992 in respect of insurance undertakings, to bodies which administer compulsory winding up proceedings or guarantee funds, where necessary for the performance of their functions, or

(ac) in accordance with the terms of Council Directive 92/96/EEC of 10 November 1992 in respect of assurance undertakings, to bodies which administer compulsory winding up proceedings or guarantee funds, where necessary for the performance of their functions, or

(ad) to the Pensions Board that is required for the performance of its functions, or

(ae) in summary or collective form, such that individual persons or bodies cannot be identified, in legal proceedings where a supervised entity has been declared bankrupt or is being compulsorily wound up, but only if the information disclosed does not concern the business of any person or body which, to the knowledge of the Bank, may be, or has been involved in attempts to rescue that supervised entity at any stage, or

(af) if the Bank is satisfied that the disclosure is necessary to protect consumers of relevant financial services or to safeguard the interests of the Bank, or

(ag) if the disclosure arises in relation to—

(i) the operations of the Bank in any financial market, or

(ii) the issue by the Bank or the European Central Bank of legal tender, or

(iii) the pursuit by the Bank of the objectives set out in section 6A of the Central Bank Act 1942 , or

(ah) to a Tribunal of Inquiry established under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Acts 1921 to 2002, or

(ai) to the Revenue Commissioners in relation to their functions in a manner such that no supervised entity can be identified, or

(aj) to the Registrar of Friendly Societies that is required for the performance of the Registrar's functions.

(6) Any person or entity to whom confidential information is provided under subsection (3)(a) or (5) shall comply with the provisions on professional secrecy in the Supervisory Directives in holding and dealing with information provided to them by the Bank.

(7) The Bank may, for the purposes of subsection (5)(d) or otherwise, require from a supervised entity any information for the purposes of the Bank assisting an authority to which that subsection relates, but the Bank may only require such information where the information requested is, in the opinion of the Bank, to assist the authority in the carrying out of its regulatory functions.

(8) A person who—

(a) contravenes subsection (1)(b), or

(b) contravenes paragraph (a) or (c) of subsection (2), or

(c) fails to comply with section 158(6B) of the Companies Act 1963 , for the purpose of a Disclosure Issue Notice issued under subsection (4),

commits an offence and is liable—

(i) on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding €30,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or both, or

(ii) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €3,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both.

(9) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided for by or under any enactment, where in the opinion of the Revenue Commissioners, or such officer or officers of the Commissioners as they may from time to time designate for this purpose, there is information which may relate to—

(a) the commission of an offence, or

(b) a failure to comply with an obligation,

under the designated enactments or the designated statutory instruments, then the Commissioners or that officer shall disclose the information to the Bank.

(10) In this section—

‘approved professional body’ has the meaning given by section 55 of the Investment Intermediaries Act 1995 ;

‘product producer’ has the meaning given by section 2 of the Investment Intermediaries Act 1995 ;

‘restricted activity investment product intermediary’ has the meaning assigned to it by section 26 of the Investment Intermediaries Act 1995 ;

‘Supervisory Directives’ means—

(a) Directive 2000/12/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 March 2000,

(b) Council Directive 93/22/EEC of 10 May 1993,

(c) Council Directive 85/611/EEC of 20 December 1985,

(d) Council Directive 92/49/EEC of 18 June 1992,

(e) Council Directive 92/96/EEC of 10 November 1992;

‘supervised entity’ means any person or body in relation to which the Bank exercises functions under the designated enactments or the designated statutory instruments.

Bank to inform persons of their obligations under section 33AK.

33AL.—(1) The Board shall inform every person who is about to be appointed—

(a) as Governor or as a Director, or

(b) as a member, or a member's deputy appointed under paragraph 4 of Schedule 3, of the Regulatory Authority, or

(c) as Chief Executive or Consumer Director, or

(d) as Registrar of Credit Unions, or

(e) as an other officer or employee of the Bank, or

(f) as a consultant or auditor or in any other capacity by the Bank or any constituent part of the Bank,

of the obligation imposed by section 33AK.

(2) A person can accept office as Governor or as Director, or as an officer or employee of the Bank, only if the person has acknowledged, in a form determined by the Board, that the person has been informed of the obligation imposed by section 33AK.

Certain persons required to attend proceedings of Oireachtas committees.

33AM.—(1) This section applies to the following persons:

(a) the Governor of the Bank;

(b) the Chairperson of the Regulatory Authority;

(c) the Chief Executive Officer of that Authority;

(d) the Consumer Director of that Authority;

(e) the Registrar of Credit Unions.

(2) A person to whom this section applies shall—

(a) if requested to do so, attend before the Joint Committee of the Oireachtas that is responsible for examining matters relating to the Bank, and

(b) provide that Committee with such information as it requires.

(3) Subsection (2) has effect subject to—

(a) the Rome Treaty and the ESCB Statute, and

(b) any restrictions that are imposed on a person to whom this section applies by or under the Central Bank Acts, or any other enactment, in relation to appearing before the Joint Committee referred to in subsection (2)(a).”.

Interpretation: Part VIIA and Schedule 5.

57A.—(1) In this Part and Schedule 5—

‘affected person’ means a person whose interests are directly or indirectly affected by an appealable decision;

‘appeal’ means an appeal under this Part;

‘appealable decision’ means a decision of the Regulatory Authority made under a designated enactment or designated statutory instrument that has the effect of imposing a sanction or liability of a kind specified in an order made under subsection (2);

‘appellant’ means a person who has lodged an appeal;

‘Chairperson’ means the Chairperson of the Appeals Tribunal;

‘Deputy Chairperson’ means the Deputy Chairperson of the Appeals Tribunal;

‘lay member’ means a member of the Appeals Tribunal other than the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson;

‘member’ means a member of the Appeals Tribunal;

‘party’, in relation to proceedings before the Appeals Tribunal, means either the appellant or the Regulatory Authority as respondent;

‘Registrar’ means the Registrar of the Appeals Tribunal;

‘the rules’ means rules of the Appeals Tribunal made and in force under section 57AI.

(2) The Government may, by order notified in Iris Oifigiúil, specify a sanction or other liability for the purposes of the definition of ‘appealable decision’ in subsection (1).

(3) An order under subsection (2) may be made only if—

(a) a draft of the order has been laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas, and

(b) the draft has been approved by resolution passed by each of those Houses.

(4) For the purposes of this Part, a decision made by a member of the Regulatory Authority or by any person acting under the authority of that Authority is taken to be a decision of that Authority.

Objects of this Part.

57B.—The objects of this Part are as follows:

(a) to establish the Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal as an independent tribunal—

(i) to hear and determine appeals under this Part, and

(ii) to exercise such other jurisdiction as is conferred on it by this Part or by any other enactment or law;

(b) to ensure that the Appeals Tribunal is accessible, its proceedings are efficient and effective and its decisions are fair;

(c) to enable proceedings before the Appeals Tribunal to be determined in an informal and expeditious manner.

Chapter 2

Constitution and jurisdiction of Appeals Tribunal

Establishment of the Appeals Tribunal.

57C.—A tribunal called ‘Binse Achomhairc Seirbhísí Airgeadais na hÉireann’ or in the English language the ‘Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal’ is established by this section.

Membership of the Appeals Tribunal.

57D.—(1) The Appeals Tribunal consists of the following members:

(a) a Chairperson;

(b) a Deputy Chairperson;

(c) no fewer than 1 and no more than 5 lay members.

(2) The members are to be appointed by the President on the nomination of the Government.

(3) The document appointing a member is to specify whether the member has been appointed as the Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson or as a lay member.

(4) A member may be appointed on a fulltime basis or a part-time basis.

(5) Schedule 5 has effect with respect to the members.

Eligibility for appointment as a member.

57E.—(1) A person is eligible to be appointed as the Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson only if the person is—

(a) a former judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court, or

(b) a barrister or solicitor of not less than 7 years standing.

(2) A person is eligible to be appointed as a lay member only if the President is satisfied that the person has special knowledge or skill in relation to the provision of financial services.

(3) A person is not eligible for appointment as a member if the person—

(a) is a member of either House of the Oireachtas or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member or is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann, or

(b) is a member of the European Parliament or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member or to fill a vacancy in the membership of that Parliament, or

(c) is a member of a local authority or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member.

Appointment of acting members.

57F.—(1) The President may, on the advice of the Government, appoint as an acting Chairperson or acting Deputy Chairperson a person qualified for appointment as Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson if satisfied that the appointment is necessary to enable the Appeals Tribunal to exercise its functions effectively during the period of the appointment.

(2) The President may, on the advice of the Government, appoint as an acting lay member a person qualified for appointment as a lay member if satisfied that the appointment is necessary to enable the Appeals Tribunal to exercise its functions effectively during the period of the appointment.

(3) The appointment of a person under this section is for such period (not exceeding 12 months) as is specified in the document of appointment.

(4) An acting Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson or acting lay member has the functions of the Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson or lay member (as the case requires) subject to any conditions or limitations specified in the document of appointment.

Jurisdiction and powers of the Appeals Tribunal.

57G.—(1) The Appeals Tribunal has jurisdiction to hear and determine—

(a) appeals made by affected persons against appealable decisions of the Regulatory Authority, and

(b) such other matters, or class of matters, as may be prescribed by any other Act or law.

(2) Subject to this Part, the Appeals Tribunal has power to do whatever is necessary for or in connection with, or reasonably incidental to, the exercise of its jurisdiction.

Constitution of the Appeals Tribunal for particular proceedings.

57H.—(1) For the purpose of hearing a particular appeal, the Appeals Tribunal is constituted by 3 members or, if that Tribunal has more than 3 members, by 3 members designated by the Chairperson.

(2) Of the 3 members, one must be either the Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson.

(3) If the members constituting the Appeals Tribunal for a particular hearing include the Chairperson, the Chairperson is to preside at the hearing. Otherwise, the Deputy Chairperson is to preside.

(4) If there are sufficient members, the Appeals Tribunal may be separately constituted so as to enable it to hear different appeals at the same time.

Functions of Chairperson.

57I.—(1) The Chairperson is responsible for directing the business of the Appeals Tribunal, subject to this Part and the rules.

(2) In particular, the Chairperson is responsible for deciding the places and times of hearings of appeals.

Registrar and staff of the Appeals Tribunal.

57J.—(1) The Chairperson shall appoint a Registrar of the Appeals Tribunal and such other staff as may be necessary for the functioning of that Tribunal.

(2) Staff of the Appeals Tribunal (other than the Registrar) may be appointed from among the employees of the Bank, but only with the agreement of the Board.

(3) The Registrar and other staff of the Appeals Tribunal are to be employed on such terms (including terms as to remuneration and superannuation) as are agreed between the Chairperson and the Board from time to time.

Responsibilities of Registrar of the Appeals Tribunal.

57K.—(1) The Registrar has the following responsibilities:

(a) to assist the Chairperson in administering the Appeals Tribunal;

(b) such other responsibilities as are imposed on the Registrar by or under this Part or by any other enactment or law.

(2) The rules may make further provision with respect to the responsibilities of the Registrar.

Chapter 3

Hearing and determination of appeals

Right of appeal to Appeals Tribunal against appealable decision.

57L.—(1) An affected person may appeal to the Appeals Tribunal in accordance with this section against an appealable decision of the Regulatory Authority.

(2) An appeal must—

(a) be in writing and state the grounds of appeal, and

(b) be lodged with the Registrar within 28 days after the Regulatory Authority notified the affected person of the decision concerned, or within such extended period as the Registrar may allow, after consulting the Chairperson, and

(c) be accompanied by the fee (if any) prescribed by the rules.

(3) As soon as practicable after an appeal is lodged with the Registrar, the Registrar is required to give a copy of the appeal to the Regulatory Authority.

(4) The Regulatory Authority is the respondent to every appeal.

Appeals Tribunal may decide persons whose interests affected by a decision.

57M.—(1) If it is necessary for the purposes of this Act to decide whether the interests of a person are affected, or are likely to be affected, by a decision of the Regulatory Authority, that matter is to be decided by the Appeals Tribunal.

(2) If the Appeals Tribunal decides that the interests of a person are affected, or likely to be affected, by a decision of the Regulatory Authority, the decision of that Tribunal is conclusive and cannot be the subject of an appeal to the High Court.

(3) However, if the Appeals Tribunal decides that the interests of a person are not affected, or are not likely to be affected, by a decision of the Regulatory Authority, the person may appeal to the High Court against the decision of that Tribunal.

Duty of Regulatory Authority to give reasons on request.

57N.—(1) If the Regulatory Authority has made an appealable decision, an affected person may make a written request to that Authority for a statement setting out the reasons for the decision.

(2) As soon as practicable, but in any case not later than 28 days, after receiving such a request, the Regulatory Authority shall prepare a written statement of reasons for the decision and give it to the person who made the request.

(3) The statement of reasons must specify—

(a) the findings on material questions of fact, referring to the evidence or other material on which those findings were based, and

(b) the Regulatory Authority's understanding of the applicable law, and

(c) the reasoning processes that led that Authority to the conclusions that it came to.

Regulatory Authority may refuse reasons in certain cases.

57O.—(1) The Regulatory Authority may refuse to prepare and provide a statement of reasons requested by a person under section 57N if—

(a) it is of the opinion that the person is not entitled to be given the statement, or

(b) in the case of a decision the terms of which were recorded in writing and set out in a document that was provided to the person — the request was not made within 28 days after the person was provided with the document, or

(c) in any other case — the request was not made within a reasonable time after the decision was made.

(2) If the Regulatory Authority refuses under subsection (1) to prepare and give a statement of reasons, it shall, in writing, notify the person making the request of the refusal and of the reasons for the refusal as soon as practicable (and in any case not later than 28 days) after the date on which the request was made.

(3) The Regulatory Authority may not refuse to prepare and provide a statement of reasons if—

(a) in the case of a refusal based on subsection (1)(a) — the Appeals Tribunal makes an order declaring, on an application made under section 57P(1), that the person who made the request was entitled to make the request, or

(b) in the case of a refusal based on subsection (1)(c) — the Appeals Tribunal makes an order declaring, on an application made under section 57Q(2), that the person who made the request did so within a reasonable time.

(4) If the Regulatory Authority may not refuse to comply with a request for a statement of reasons because of an order of the Appeals Tribunal referred to in subsection (3)(a) or (b), it shall prepare the written statement of reasons that was originally requested and give it to the person who requested it as soon as practicable (and in any case not later than 28 days) after being notified of the order.

Appeals Tribunal may determine whether person entitled to reasons or made request within reasonable time.

57P.—(1) The Appeals Tribunal may, on the application of a person who has been refused a statement of reasons under section 57O(1)(a), make an order declaring that the person was, or was not, entitled to make the request to which the notice relates.

(2) The Appeals Tribunal may, on the application of a person who has been refused a statement of reasons under section 57O(1)(c) on the basis that the person did not make the request within a reasonable time, make an order declaring that the person did make the request within a reasonable time.

Appeals Tribunal may order Regulatory Authority to provide a statement of reasons or an adequate statement of reasons.

57Q.—(1) If an affected person has requested a statement of reasons under section 57N but has not received it within the period specified by or under that section, the Appeals Tribunal may, on the application of the person, order the Regulatory Authority to give the statement of reasons within such time as may be specified in the order.

(2) If an affected person who requested a statement of reasons under section 57N is given an inadequate statement of reasons, the Appeals Tribunal may, on the application of the person, order the Regulatory Authority to give the person an adequate statement of reasons within such period as may be specified in the order.

(3) For the purposes of this section, a statement of reasons is an adequate statement of reasons only if it sets out the matters referred to in section 57N(3).

Operation and implementation of appealed decision pending determination of appeal.

57R.—(1) Subject to this section, the lodgement of an appeal with the Appeals Tribunal against a decision of the Regulatory Authority does not affect the operation of the decision or prevent the taking of action to implement that decision.

(2) On the application of the appellant, the Appeals Tribunal may make such orders staying or otherwise affecting the operation of the decision appealed against as it considers will secure the effectiveness of the determination of the application.

(3) The Appeals Tribunal may make an order under this section only if it considers that it is desirable to do so after taking into account—

(a) the interests of any persons who may be affected by the determination of the application, and

(b) any submission made by or on behalf of the Regulatory Authority, and

(c) the public interest.

(4) While an order is in force under this section (including an order that has previously been varied on one or more occasions under this subsection), the Appeals Tribunal may, on application by a party to the proceedings, vary or revoke the order by another order.

(5) The Appeals Tribunal may not—

(a) make an order under this section unless the Regulatory Authority has been given a reasonable opportunity to make submissions in relation to the matter, or

(b) make an order varying or revoking an order in force under this section (including an order as varied) unless each interested person has been given a reasonable opportunity to make submissions in relation to the matter.

(6) The following are interested persons for the purposes of subsection (5)(b):

(a) the Regulatory Authority;

(b) the person who requested the making of the order;

(c) if the order has previously been varied by an order or orders under this section — the person or persons who requested the making of the variation.

(7) A party to the relevant proceedings may appeal to the High Court against an order made under this section or against a refusal to make such an order.

Conditions of stay order.

57S.—(1) An order in force under section 57R (including an order that has previously been varied on one or more occasions) is subject to such conditions as are specified in the order.

(2) Any such order has effect—

(a) if a period for the operation of the order is specified in the order — until the end of that period or, if the Appeals Tribunal decides the relevant appeal before the end of that period, until the decision of that Tribunal on the appeal takes effect, or

(b) if no period is so specified — until the decision of that Tribunal on the appeal takes effect.

Opportunity of parties to make submissions.

57T.—The Appeals Tribunal shall ensure that each party to proceedings before that Tribunal is given a reasonable opportunity—

(a) to present the party's case (whether at a hearing or otherwise), and

(b) to make submissions in relation to the issues arising in the proceedings.

Representation of parties.

57U.—(1) A party to proceedings before the Appeals Tribunal may—

(a) appear without representation, or

(b) be represented by an agent, or

(c) if the party is an incapacitated person — be represented by such other person as may be appointed by that Tribunal under subsection (2).

(2) If it appears to the Appeals Tribunal that a party is an incapacitated person, it may appoint a suitable person to represent the party.

(3) Any person appearing before the Appeals Tribunal may use the services of an interpreter unless the person can understand and speak the English language sufficiently to enable the person to understand, and to make an adequate reply to, questions that may be put to the person.

(4) In this section—

‘incapacitated person’ means—

(a) a minor, or

(b) a person who is totally or partially incapable of representing himself or herself in proceedings before the Appeals Tribunal because the person is intellectually, physically, psychologically or sensorily disabled, of advanced age, a mentally incapacitated person or otherwise disabled, or

(c) any other person of a class prescribed by regulations made under section 57AZ for the purposes of this paragraph;

‘interpreter’ includes a person who interprets signs or other things made or done by a person who cannot speak adequately for the purposes of giving evidence in proceedings.

Procedure of the Appeals Tribunal.

57V.—(1) The Appeals Tribunal may, subject to this Part and the rules, determine its own procedure.

(2) The Appeals Tribunal is not bound by the rules of evidence and may inquire into and inform itself on any matter in such manner as it thinks fit, subject to the rules of natural justice.

(3) When hearing an appeal, the Appeals Tribunal is not limited to—

(a) considering the evidence or grounds on which the Regulatory Authority based the decision that is the subject of the appeal, or

(b) applying any sanction that was imposed as a part of that decision.

(4) The Appeals Tribunal is required to act with as little formality as the circumstances of the case permit and according to equity, good conscience and the substantial merits of the case without regard to technicalities or legal forms.

(5) The Appeals Tribunal is required to take such measures as are reasonably practicable—

(a) to ensure that the parties to the proceedings before it understand the nature of the assertions made in the proceedings and the legal implications of those assertions, and

(b) if requested to do so — to explain to the parties any aspect of the procedure of that Tribunal, or any decision or ruling made by it, that relates to the proceedings, and

(c) to ensure that the parties have a reasonable opportunity to be heard or otherwise have their submissions considered in the proceedings.

(6) In proceedings before it, the Appeals Tribunal is required to act as expeditiously as is practicable and to ensure that all relevant material is disclosed to that Tribunal so as to enable it to determine all of the relevant facts in issue in the proceedings.

(7) In particular, the Appeals Tribunal may do all or any of the following:

(a) require evidence or argument to be presented in writing and decide on the matters on which it will hear oral evidence or argument;

(b) require the presentation of the respective cases of the parties before it to be limited to the periods of time that it determines are reasonably necessary for the fair and adequate presentation of the cases;

(c) authorise a document to be served outside the State;

(d) adjourn proceedings to any time and place (including for the purpose of enabling the parties to negotiate a settlement);

(e) at any stage dismiss proceedings if the applicant has withdrawn the application to which the proceedings relate;

(f) at any stage dismiss proceedings that it considers to be frivolous or vexatious or otherwise misconceived or lacking in substance.

(8) The member presiding at proceedings of the Appeals Tribunal may—

(a) hold a directions hearing in relation to any proceedings before that Tribunal, or

(b) authorise the Registrar to hold a directions hearing in relation to the proceedings.

Proceedings on hearing to be normally conducted in public.

57W.—(1) The hearing of an appeal is to be open to the public, unless the parties to the hearing agree that it should be conducted in private.

(2) However, even if the parties do not agree that the hearing should be conducted in private, the Appeals Tribunal may, if satisfied that it is desirable to do so because of the confidential nature of any evidence or matter or for any other reason, make any one or more of the following orders:

(a) an order that the hearing be conducted wholly or partly in private;

(b) an order prohibiting or restricting—

(i) the disclosure of the name, address, picture or any other material that identifies, or may lead to the identification of, any person (whether or not a party to proceedings before the Appeals Tribunal or a witness summoned by, or appearing before, it), or

(ii) the doing of any other thing that identifies, or may lead to the identification of, any such person;

(c) an order prohibiting or restricting the publication or broadcast of any report of proceedings before it;

(d) an order prohibiting or restricting the publication of evidence given before that Tribunal, whether in public or in private, or of matters contained in documents lodged with it or received in evidence by it;

(e) an order prohibiting or restricting the disclosure to some or all of the parties to the proceedings of evidence given before that Tribunal, or of the contents of a document lodged with it or received in evidence by it, in relation to the proceedings.

(3) The Appeals Tribunal may make an order under subsection (2) either on its own or on the application of a party.

(4) The Appeals Tribunal may vary or revoke an order made under subsection (2).

Power to remit matters to Regulatory Authority for further consideration.

57X.—(1) At any stage of proceedings to determine an appeal against an appealable decision, the Appeals Tribunal may remit the decision to the Regulatory Authority for its reconsideration.

(2) The Regulatory Authority shall reconsider a decision remitted under subsection (1) and on the reconsideration may—

(a) affirm the decision, or

(b) vary the decision, or

(c) substitute for the decision a new decision.

(3) If the Regulatory Authority varies the remitted decision—

(a) the appeal is taken to be an appeal against the decision as varied, and

(b) the appellant may either—

(i) proceed with the appeal as varied, or

(ii) withdraw the appeal.

(4) If the Regulatory Authority substitutes for the remitted decision a new decision in substitution for the decision set aside—

(a) the appeal is taken to be an appeal against the new decision, and

(b) the appellant may either—

(i) proceed with the appeal in relation to the new decision, or

(ii) withdraw the appeal.

Reconstitution of Appeals Tribunal during hearing of appeal.

57Y.—(1) The Chairperson may replace a member during the hearing of an appeal if the member becomes mentally or physically incapacitated or otherwise becomes unavailable, or ceases to be a member, before the appeal is determined, but only if the parties agree.

(2) The Appeals Tribunal as so reconstituted is to have regard to the evidence and decisions in relation to the matter that were given or made before it was reconstituted.

(3) If a party does not agree to the reconstitution of the Appeals Tribunal under this section, that Tribunal, as constituted in accordance with this Part, is required to reconsider the proceedings.

(4) When reconsidering proceedings, the Appeals Tribunal may, for the purposes of the proceedings, have regard to any record of the proceedings before that Tribunal as previously constituted, including a record of any evidence taken in the proceedings.

What decisions the Appeals Tribunal can make in determining an appeal.

57Z.—(1) In determining an appeal against an appealable decision, the Appeals Tribunal shall decide what the correct and preferable decision is having regard to the material then before it, including—

(a) any relevant factual material, and

(b) any applicable enactment or other law.

(2) As soon as possible after finishing the hearing of an appeal against an appealable decision, the Appeals Tribunal shall do one of the following:

(a) affirm the decision, or

(b) vary the decision, or

(c) substitute for the decision any appropriate decision that the Regulatory Authority could have lawfully made in relation to the matter concerned, or

(d) set aside the decision and remit the matter concerned for reconsideration by the Regulatory Authority in accordance with any directions or recommendations of the Appeals Tribunal.

(3) The Appeals Tribunal may dismiss an appeal against an appealable decision on the ground that the appellant has failed to attend a hearing of that Tribunal, but only if it is satisfied that the appellant was notified of the date, time and place fixed for the hearing.

(4) The Appeals Tribunal may allow an appeal against an appealable decision on the ground that the Regulatory Authority has failed to attend a hearing of that Tribunal, but only if it is satisfied that that Authority was notified of the date, time and place fixed for the hearing. In that case, the Appeals Tribunal may substitute for the decision appealed against any appropriate decision that the Regulatory Authority could have lawfully made in relation to the matter concerned.

How decisions of the Appeals Tribunal are to be made and given.

57AA.—(1) If the members are not in unanimous agreement on a matter to be determined in proceedings before the Appeals Tribunal, the decision of the majority on the matter is the decision of that Tribunal.

(2) However, a question of law (including the question whether a particular question is a question of law) arising in proceedings before the Appeals Tribunal is to be decided by the member who is presiding in the proceedings.

(3) In deciding a matter before it, the Appeals Tribunal may impose such conditions (including exemptions) as it specifies in the decision.

(4) The Appeals Tribunal is required to give reasons for its decision in writing—

(a) within 28 days after the date on which it gave its decision, or

(b) if the rules specify some other period (either generally or for that class of matter) — within that other period.

(5) Those reasons must set out—

(a) the findings on material questions of fact, referring to the evidence or other material on which those findings were based, and

(b) the Appeals Tribunal's understanding of the applicable law, and

(c) the reasoning processes that led that Tribunal to the conclusions that it made.

(6) A failure to comply with subsection (4) or (5) does not affect the validity of a decision of the Appeals Tribunal.

(7) The Appeals Tribunal shall ensure that a copy of its decision determining an appeal is served on each party to the proceedings.

Appeals Tribunal may reserve decision.

57AB.—(1) The Appeals Tribunal may reserve its decision in any proceedings before it.

(2) A reserved decision of the Appeals Tribunal may be given—

(a) at a subsequent sitting of that Tribunal, or

(b) if the decision is set out in writing and is signed by the person who presided in the proceedings — by being delivered by the Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson, or

(c) by the Registrar, at a time and place of which the parties have been given reasonable notice.

Effect of decision of the Appeals Tribunal.

57AC.—(1) A decision determining an appeal takes effect on the date on which it is given or such later date as may be specified in the decision.

(2) If any such decision varies, or is made in substitution for, a decision of the Regulatory Authority, the decision of the Appeals Tribunal is taken—

(a) to be the decision of that Authority, and

(b) unless that Tribunal orders otherwise — to have had effect as the decision of that Authority on and from the date of its original decision.

Amendments and irregularities.

57AD.—(1) The Appeals Tribunal may, in any proceedings before it, make any amendments to the proceedings that that Tribunal considers to be necessary in the interests of justice.

(2) Any such amendment may be made—

(a) at any stage of the proceedings, and

(b) on such terms as the Appeals Tribunal thinks fit (including terms as to costs).

(3) A failure to comply with a provision of this Part or of the rules in relation to proceedings before the Appeals Tribunal is to be treated as an irregularity that does not itself nullify the proceedings, any step taken in the proceedings, or any decision relating to the proceedings. Nevertheless, if such a failure occurs, the Appeals Tribunal may wholly or partly set aside the proceedings, a step taken in the proceedings, or a decision in the proceedings.

Recovery of amounts ordered to be paid.

57AE.—(1) To facilitate the recovery of any amount (including costs) that the Appeals Tribunal has ordered to be paid, the Registrar is required to certify the amount to be paid.

(2) A certificate given under this section must identify the person liable to pay the certified amount.

(3) A certificate of the Registrar that—

(a) is given under this section, and

(b) is filed in the registry of a court having jurisdiction to give judgment for a debt of the same amount as the amount stated in the certificate,

operates as such a judgment.

(4) A party to proceedings in respect of which an amount has been certified by the Registrar under this section may apply to the Appeals Tribunal for a review of the decision to certify that amount.

Powers in relation to witnesses.

57AF.—(1) The Appeals Tribunal may, in relation to proceedings before it—

(a) call witnesses on its own initiative, and

(b) examine witnesses on oath, or by use of a statutory declaration, and

(c) examine or cross-examine any witness to such extent as it thinks proper in order to elicit information relevant to the determination of the proceedings, and

(d) require any witness to answer questions that it believes to be relevant to the proceedings.

(2) If the Appeals Tribunal decides to call a person as a witness under this section, it may—

(a) try to get the person to attend the proceedings voluntarily by notifying the person in such manner as it thinks appropriate, or

(b) direct the Registrar to issue a summons to compel the attendance of the person before it.

(3) A party to proceedings before the Appeals Tribunal may apply to the Registrar for the issue of a summons compelling the attendance of a witness before it.

(4) On receiving a direction under subsection (2) or an application under subsection (3), the Registrar shall issue a summons requiring the person named in the summons—

(a) to attend proceedings of the Appeals Tribunal on a specified date and at a specified time and place, and

(b) to attend and give evidence, or attend and produce documents or other things, or to do both of those things.

(5) A summons must be signed by the Registrar or be otherwise authenticated as provided by the rules.

(6) A person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with the requirements of a summons commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months, or both.

(7) A summons may be served within or outside the State.

(8) A person who attends proceedings of the Appeals Tribunal to give evidence, or attend and produce documents or other things, is entitled to the same protection and immunity as a person appearing as a witness in civil proceedings before a court.

Power to correct decisions of the Appeals Tribunal.

57AG.—(1) If, after making a decision, the Appeals Tribunal is satisfied that there is an obvious error in the text of the decision or in a written statement of reasons for the decision, it may direct the Registrar to alter the text of the decision or statement in accordance with its directions.

(2) If the text of a decision or statement is so altered, the altered text is taken to be the decision of the Appeals Tribunal or the reasons for the decision.

(3) Examples of obvious errors in the text of a decision or statement of reasons are where—

(a) there is an obvious clerical or typographical error in the text of the decision or statement of reasons, or

(b) there is an error arising from an accidental slip or omission, or

(c) there is a defect of form, or

(d) there is an inconsistency between the decision and the statement of reasons.

(4) The powers of the Appeals Tribunal under this section may be exercised by the member who presided at the proceedings to which the decision relates.

Appeals Tribunal may award costs in certain circumstances.

57AH.—(1) The Appeals Tribunal may award costs in relation to proceedings before it and may determine by whom and to what extent costs are to be paid.

(2) In this section, ‘costs’ includes not only costs of or incidental to the hearing and determination of an appeal, but also the costs of or incidental to the proceedings giving rise to the appeal.

Appeals Tribunal may make rules of procedure.

57AI.—(1) The Appeals Tribunal may make rules, not inconsistent with this Part, for or with respect to any matter—

(a) that by this Part is required or permitted to be prescribed by the rules, or

(b) that is necessary or convenient to be prescribed in relation to the practice and procedure of that Tribunal.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the rules may provide for all or any of the following matters:

(a) the responsibilities of the Registrar or other staff of the Appeals Tribunal under this Part;

(b) fixing the places and times for holding hearings of the Appeals Tribunal;

(c) the representation of parties at hearings of the Appeals Tribunal;

(d) the discovery of documents relating to proceedings before the Appeals Tribunal;

(e) notifying decisions of the Appeals Tribunal to parties to proceedings before it;

(f) the means for, and the practice and procedure to be followed in, the enforcement and execution of decisions of the Appeals Tribunal;

(g) the fees payable in respect of lodging appeals with the Appeals Tribunal;

(h) the waiver of fees payable in respect of lodging appeals with the Appeals Tribunal (whether at the time of lodgement of an appeal or otherwise);

(i) the refund, in whole or in part, of fees if proceedings before the Appeals Tribunal terminate in a manner favourable to the appellant;

(j) the award of costs in respect of proceedings before the Appeals Tribunal;

(k) the use of the seal of the Appeals Tribunal.

Chapter 4

References and appeals to High Court

References of questions of law to High Court.

57AJ.—(1) When hearing an appeal, the Appeals Tribunal may, on its own initiative or at the request of a party, refer a question of law arising in the appeal to the High Court for the opinion of the Court.

(2) The High Court has jurisdiction to hear and determine any question of law referred to it under this section.

(3) If a question of law arising in an appeal has been referred to the High Court under this section, the Appeals Tribunal may not—

(a) give a decision in the appeal to which the question is relevant while the reference is pending, or

(b) proceed in a manner, or make a decision, that is inconsistent with the opinion of the High Court on the question.

Right of appeal to High Court.

57AK.—(1) A party to an appeal determined by the Appeals Tribunal may appeal to the High Court against the decision of the Appeals Tribunal in respect of the appeal.

(2) Neither the Appeals Tribunal nor any of its members can be made a party to an appeal under this section.

(3) An appeal under this section must be made—

(a) within such period and in such manner as is prescribed by rules of court of the High Court, or

(b) within such further period as that Court may allow.

Orders on appeal to the High Court.

57AL.—(1) The High Court is to hear and determine an appeal made under section 57AK and may make such orders as it thinks appropriate in light of its determination.

(2) The orders that may be made by the High Court on the hearing of such an appeal include (but are not limited to)—

(a) an order affirming or setting aside the decision of the Appeals Tribunal, and

(b) an order remitting the case to be heard and decided again by that Tribunal (either with or without the hearing of further evidence) in accordance with the directions of that Court.

(3) The determination of the High Court on the hearing of such an appeal is final, except that a party to the appeal may apply to the Supreme Court to review the determination on a question of law (but only with the leave of either of those Courts).

Appeal does not stay decision of the Appeals Tribunal.

57AM.—An appeal under section 57AK does not—

(a) affect the operation of the decision appealed against, or

(b) prevent the taking of action to implement the decision, unless the High Court otherwise orders.

Chapter 5

Miscellaneous

Contempt of Appeals Tribunal.

57AN.—(1) The Appeals Tribunal may report the following matters to the High Court:

(a) if a person fails to attend in obedience to a summons after having been served with a summons to attend before the Appeals Tribunal as a witness, or

(b) if a person fails to produce any document or other thing in the person's custody or control that the person is required by a summons to produce after having been served with a summons to attend before the Appeals Tribunal, or

(c) if a person refuses to be sworn or to make an affirmation or refuses or otherwise fails to answer any question that is put to the person by the Appeals Tribunal after being called or examined as a witness before that Tribunal, or

(d) if a person threatens or insults—

(i) a member, assessor or officer of the Appeals Tribunal, or

(ii) any witness or person summoned to attend before that Tribunal, or

(iii) a barrister, solicitor or other person authorised to appear before that Tribunal, or

(e) if a person interrupts the proceedings of, or otherwise misbehaves before, the Appeals Tribunal, or

(f) if a person obstructs or attempts to obstruct the Appeals Tribunal, a member of that Tribunal or a person acting with the authority of that Tribunal in the exercise of any lawful function, or

(g) if a person discloses, or authorises the disclosure of, evidence given before the Appeals Tribunal or any of the contents of a document produced at a hearing that that Tribunal has ordered not to be published, or

(h) if a person discloses, or authorises the disclosure of, evidence given before the Appeals Tribunal at a hearing held in private or any of the contents of a document produced at a hearing held in private (except to a member of staff of that Tribunal or as permitted by that Tribunal), or

(i) if a person does any other thing that, if the Appeals Tribunal were a court of law having power to commit for contempt, would be contempt of that court.

(2) If the Appeals Tribunal reports a matter to the High Court under subsection (1), and the Court is satisfied that there was no reasonable excuse for the act or omission concerned, then the Court—

(a) may make an order requiring the person concerned to comply with this Act, and

(b) if the person fails to comply with such order, may deal with the matter as if it were a contempt of that Court.

(3) Subsection (1)(h) does not apply to the Registrar or any other member of staff of the Appeals Tribunal in relation to evidence or contents of documents published to other members of that staff or to members of that Tribunal.

Act or omission that is both an offence and contempt.

57AO.—(1) An act or omission may be punished as a contempt of the Appeals Tribunal even though it could be punished as an offence.

(2) An act or omission may be punished as an offence even though it could be punished as a contempt of the Appeals Tribunal.

(3) If an act or omission constitutes both an offence and a contempt of the Appeals Tribunal, the offender is not liable to be punished twice.

Appeals Tribunal to have seal.

57AP.—The Appeals Tribunal is required to have a seal, which is to be judicially noticed.

Authentication of documents.

57AQ.—Every document requiring authentication by the Appeals Tribunal is sufficiently authenticated without the seal of that Tribunal if it is signed by the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson or the Registrar.

Judicial notice to be taken of certain signatures.

57AR.—Judicial notice is to be taken of the signature of the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson or the Registrar when appearing on a document issued by the Appeals Tribunal.

Proof of certain matters not required.

57AS.—In any legal proceedings, no proof is required (unless evidence to the contrary is given) of—

(a) the constitution of the Appeals Tribunal, or

(b) any decision of that Tribunal, or

(c) the appointment, or the holding of office by, a member of that Tribunal or the Registrar.

Protection of barristers, solicitors, witnesses and others.

57AT.—(1) A barrister, solicitor or other person appearing before the Appeals Tribunal on behalf of a party has the same protection and immunity as a barrister has in appearing for a party in proceedings in the High Court.

(2) Subject to this Part and the rules, a person summoned to attend or appearing before the Appeals Tribunal as a witness has the same protection, and is, in addition to the penalties provided by this Part, subject to the same liabilities, as a witness in proceedings in the High Court.

Allowances and expenses of witnesses.

57AU.—(1) A person (other than an employee of the Bank or a civil servant for the purposes of the Civil Service Regulation Acts 1956 to 1996) who is required to appear or give evidence before the Appeals Tribunal is entitled to be paid such allowances and expenses as are ascertained in accordance with a scale of allowances and expenses prescribed by regulations made under section 57AZ for the purposes of this section.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the allowances and expenses are to be paid by the party at whose request a witness is summoned.

(3) The Appeals Tribunal may order the allowances and expenses of a witness referred to in subsection (2) to be paid wholly or partly by the Bank.

Notices, service and lodgement of documents.

57AV.—(1) For the purposes of this Part, a notice or document may be given to a person (or a notice or document may be served on a person)—

(a) in the case of a natural person, by—

(i) delivering it to the person personally, or

(ii) leaving it at, or by sending it by pre-paid post to, the residential or business address of the person last known to the person serving the document, or

(b) in the case of a body corporate — by leaving it at, or by sending it by pre-paid post to, the head office, a registered office or a principal office of the body corporate, or

(c) in the case of the Regulatory Authority — by leaving it with, or by sending it by pre-paid post to, the Chief Executive or a member of staff of that Authority.

(2) A notice or other document may be served on the Appeals Tribunal by leaving it at, or by sending it by post to (or a document that is required or permitted to be lodged with that Tribunal may be lodged at)—

(a) the office of the Registrar, or

(b) if the Registrar has more than one office, any one of those offices.

(3) Nothing in this section affects the operation of any provision of any law or the rules of a court authorising a document to be served in a manner not provided for by this section.

(4) The rules may—

(a) provide for other means of serving, giving or lodging any notice or document, and

(b) provide for a notice or document of a class specified by the rules to be served, given or lodged only in the manner prescribed by the rules.

Annual report of the Appeals Tribunal.

57AW.—(1) Not later than 3 months after the end of each financial year, the Chairperson shall provide the Minister and the Board with a report on the operations of the Appeals Tribunal for that year.

(2) As soon as practicable after receiving the report, the Minister shall arrange for it to be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.

(3) The Registrar is required to publish the report as soon as practicable after becoming aware that the report has been laid in accordance with subsection (2). All members of the public are entitled to obtain a copy of the report on payment of such reasonable charge as may be fixed by the Chairperson in consultation with the other members.

How the cost of operating the Appeals Tribunal is to be met.

57AX.—(1) The cost of operating the Appeals Tribunal is to be met from funds provided in accordance with this section.

(2) Not later than 3 months before the beginning of each financial year, or within such extended period as the Minister may allow, the Chairperson of the Appeals Tribunal shall—

(a) prepare a statement setting out estimates of that Tribunal's expected income and expenditure for that year (including the cost of providing remuneration and other amounts to its members and to its staff), and

(b) submit the statement to the Minister for approval.

(3) The Minister may approve the statement either without amendment or with such amendment as may be agreed with the Chairperson, but in doing so is required to have regard to the Rome Treaty and the ESCB Statute.

(4) As soon as practicable after approving the statement, the Minister shall direct the Bank to pay to the Registrar such amount as the Minister specifies as being necessary to meet the cost of operating the Appeals Tribunal during the financial year concerned, after taking into account any income likely to be received by that Tribunal.

(5) The Bank is required to comply with a direction given under subsection (4) within such period or periods as are specified in the direction. The amounts required to be paid under the direction are a charge on the general fund of the Bank.

Registrar to keep proper accounting records.

57AY.—(1) The Registrar shall keep all proper accounting records in respect of all money received and spent by or in respect of the Appeals Tribunal.

(2) The Registrar shall open and maintain such bank accounts as are necessary for the operation of the Appeals Tribunal and shall ensure—

(a) that all money received for that Tribunal is banked as soon as practicable after it is received, and

(b) that no money is paid out of any of those accounts without the authority of the Chairperson.

Government may make regulations with respect to the Appeals Tribunal.

57AZ.—The Government may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, for or with respect to any matter that by this Part is required or permitted to be prescribed by regulation.”.

Regulations for purposes of this Act.

61A.—(1) The Minister may, after consulting the Bank, make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, for or with respect to any matter that by this Act is required or permitted to be prescribed (other than a matter required or permitted to be prescribed by the Government or the Bank), or that is necessary or expedient to be prescribed, for carrying out or giving effect to this Act (Part VIIA excepted).

(2) A provision of a regulation under this Act may—

(a) apply generally or be limited in its application by reference to specified exceptions or factors, or

(b) apply differently according to different factors of a specified kind, or

(c) authorise any matter or thing to be from time to time determined, applied or regulated by a specified person or body,

or may do any combination of those things.

Power to amend or revoke certain orders.

61B.—(1) If the effect of an order made by the Minister under this Act has not become spent, the Minister may, after consulting the Bank, by further order, amend or revoke the order.

(2) For the purpose of subsection (1), ‘amend’ includes add to, substitute and delete.

Regulations and orders to be laid before each House of Oireachtas.

61C.—The Minister shall arrange for every regulation made by the Government, Minister or the Chief Executive, and every order made by the Government or the Minister, under this Act to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as practicable after it is made.

House of Oireachtas may annul regulation or order.

61D.—(1) Either House of the Oireachtas may, by resolution passed within 21 sitting days after the day on which a regulation or order was laid before it in accordance with section 61C, annul the regulation or order.

(2) The annulment of such a regulation or order takes effect immediately on the passing of the resolution concerned, but does not affect anything that was done under the regulation or order before the passing of that resolution.”.

“Bank and certain other persons required to consult.

61E.—(1) This section applies to the following persons:

(a) the Bank;

(b) any delegate of the Bank;

(c) the Pensions Board;

(d) the Director of Consumer Affairs;

(e) the Competition Authority;

(f) the Registrar of Friendly Societies;

(g) the Director of Corporate Enforcement;

(h) any person whom the Minister (after consultation with the person) designates in writing for the purposes of this section.

(2) The persons to whom this section applies shall, whenever the occasion requires, consult with each other for the purpose of ensuring the establishment and pursuit of consistent policies regarding the regulation of financial services in the State.

(3) Nothing in this section authorises a person to whom this section applies to contravene section 33AK or any provision of a law that imposes an obligation of confidentiality on the person.

Expenses incurred by Minister in administering this Act.

61F.—The expenses incurred by the Minister in administering this Act are payable out of money provided by the Oireachtas.”.