National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2014

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2014 Skip to content Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Gaeilge Léim go dtí an t-ábhar Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach English Gaeilge English Produced by the Office of the Attorney General Táirgthe ag Oifig an Ard-Aighne Home Legislation Acts of the Oireachtas Statutory Instruments Pre-1922 Legislation Constitution External Resources Bills (Houses of the Oireachtas) Iris Oifigiúil / Official Gazette Revised Acts (LRC) Classified List of Legislation (LRC) Translations (acts.ie) Translations (Houses of the Oireachtas) Government Publications for Sale EU Law (EUR-Lex) FAQ Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Search Baile Reachtaíocht Achtanna an Oireachtais Ionstraimí Reachtúla Reachtaíocht Réamh-1922 Bunreacht Acmhainní Seachtracha Billí (Tithe an Oireachtais) Iris Oifigiúil Achtanna Athbhreithnithe (CAD) (An Coimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí) Liosta Rangaithe Reachtaíochta Aistriúcháin (achtanna.ie) Aistriúcháin (Tithe an Oireachtais) Foilseacháin Rialtais ar Díol Dlí AE (EUR-Lex) CCanna (Ceisteanna Coitianta) Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach Cuardach TitleTeideal Year(s) or rangeBliain nó blianta nó raon TypeCineál All Legislation Acts Statutory Instruments Advanced SearchCuardach Casta HomeBaile ActsAchtanna 2014 National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2014 National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2014 Permanent Page URL View by SectionAmharc de réir Ailt View Full ActAmharc ar an Acht Iomlán Bill History Stair Bille Commencement, Amendments, SIs made under the Act Tosach Feidhme, Leasuithe, IRí arna ndéanamh faoin Acht Revised Act Acht Athbh… Open PDFOscail PDF Print Full ActPriontáil an tAcht Iomlán Number 23 of 2014 NATIONAL TREASURY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (AMENDMENT) ACT 2014 CONTENTS PART 1 Preliminary and General Section 1. Short title, collective citation, construction and commencement 2. Definitions 3. Expenses 4. Orders 5. Amendments 6. Repeals PART 2 National Treasury Management Agency 7. Interpretation 8. Membership 9. Procedure 10. Committees 11. Chief Executive 12. Accountability of Chief Executive 13. Disqualification of members of staff 14. Accounts and audit 15. Disclosure of interests 16. Indemnification 17. Disclosure of confidential information PART 3 State Assets and Investment 18. Introductory 19. Financial and commercial advisory functions relating to designated bodies 20. Financial and commercial advisory functions relating to other bodies 21. Annual performance reports on designated bodies 22. Proposals for investment 23. Obligations of Ministers 24. Procedures PART 4 Infrastructure Projects 25. Interpretation 26. Functions relating to projects 27. Policy directions and guidance 28. Obligation of State authority 29. Prescribing of State authority, etc. 30. Repayment of expenses of Agency PART 5 Claims Management 31. Interpretation 32. Claim for costs — definition 33. Additional functions of Agency 34. Delegation to Agency of claims for costs management function 35. Functions of Attorney General 36. Satisfaction of claims for costs PART 6 Ireland Strategic Investment Fund 37. Interpretation 38. Ireland Strategic Investment Fund 39. Investment policy for Fund 40. Investment strategy for Fund 41. Management of Fund 42. Directions to make certain investment, etc. 43. Directions in relation to certain investments 44. Relevant acquisitions and relevant transfers 45. Certain persons not to be shadow directors 46. Payments to Fund 47. Payments from Fund to Exchequer 48. Expenses of Agency in relation to Fund 49. Report and information to Minister relating to operation of Fund PART 7 Other Provisions Chapter 1 Dissolution of National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission 50. Dissolution of National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission Chapter 2 Dissolution of National Development Finance Agency 51. Dissolution of National Development Finance Agency Chapter 3 Dissolution of Committees 52. Dissolution of Advisory Committee 53. Dissolution of State Claims Policy Committee Chapter 4 Transitional provisions 54. Transitional provision PART 8 Miscellaneous 55. Amendment of section 6 (directions) of State Authorities (Public Private Partnership Arrangements) Act 2002 56. Amendment of Schedule 5 (specified bodies) to Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 SCHEDULE 1 Amendments of Acts PART 1 Amendment of Finance Act 1970 PART 2 Amendments of Ombudsman Act 1980 PART 3 Amendments of National Treasury Management Agency Act 1990 PART 4 Amendments of Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 PART 5 Amendments of Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999 PART 6 Amendments of National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2000 PART 7 Amendments of State Authorities (Public Private Partnership Arrangements) Act 2002 PART 8 Amendment of Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Act 2010 PART 9 Amendments of Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2011 PART 10 Amendment of Education and Training Boards Act 2013 SCHEDULE 2 Amendments of Statutory Instruments PART 1 Amendments of Ethics in Public Office (Prescribed Public Bodies, Designated Directorships of Public Bodies and Designated Positions in Public Bodies) Regulations 2004 PART 2 Amendments of Official Languages Act 2003 (Public Bodies) Regulations 2006 PART 3 Amendments of European Communities (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2007 PART 4 Amendment of Return of Payments (Banks, Building Societies, Credit Unions and Savings Banks) Regulations 2008 PART 5 Amendments of General Government Secured Borrowings Order 2011 PART 6 Amendment of Return of Payments (Insurance Undertakings) Regulations 2011 SCHEDULE 3 State Authorities SCHEDULE 4 Transitional Provisions PART 1 Introductory PART 2 Transfers on Fund Constitution Date PART 3 Foreign Property etc.: Interim Period PART 4 Transfers on Finance Agency Dissolution Date PART 5 Accounts and Reports PART 6 Other Provisions Acts Referred to Arbitration Act 2010 (No. 1) Central Bank Act 1997 (No. 8) Children Act 2001 (No. 24) Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 (No. 23) Companies Act 1963 (No. 33) Companies Act 1990 (No. 33) Companies Acts Competition Act 2002 (No. 14) Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993 (No. 8) Comptroller and Auditor General Acts 1866 to 1998 Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Act 2010 (No. 36) Education Act 1998 (No. 51) Education and Training Boards Act 2013 (No. 11) Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 (No. 22) European Parliament Elections Act 1997 (No. 2) Finance Act 1970 (No. 14) Forestry Act 1988 (No. 26) Harbours Acts 1946 to 2005 Interpretation Act 2005 (No. 23) Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2009 (No. 7) Irish Takeover Panel Act 1997 (No. 5) Local Government Act 2001 (No. 37) Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2011 (No. 10) Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924 (No. 16) National Development Finance Agency (Amendment) Act 2007 (No. 16) National Development Finance Agency Act 2002 (No. 29) National Pensions Reserve Fund Act 2000 (No. 33) National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2000 (No. 39) National Treasury Management Agency Act 1990 (No. 18) National Treasury Management Agency Acts 1990 and 2000 Ombudsman Act 1980 (No. 26) Prisons Act 1970 (No. 11) Prisons Act 1972 (No. 7) Regional Technical Colleges Act 1992 (No. 16) Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (No. 26) Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999 (No. 31) State Authorities (Public Private Partnership Arrangements) Act 2002 (No. 1) Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (No. 39) Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) (Amendment) Act 1979 (No. 3) Universities Act 1997 (No. 24) Number 23 of 2014 NATIONAL TREASURY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (AMENDMENT) ACT 2014 An Act to provide for and in connection with the reconstitution of the National Treasury Management Agency; to confer on that Agency new functions relating to State bodies and assets and proposals for investment; to transfer to that Agency functions of the National Development Finance Agency relating to infrastructure; to provide for the delegation to, and conferral on, the National Treasury Management Agency of functions in relation to the management of certain claims for costs of a legal nature against, or in favour of, the State and certain related functions; to provide for the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund and the transfer to it of the assets and liabilities of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and to provide for its management by the National Treasury Management Agency; to provide for the dissolution of the National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission, the National Development Finance Agency and certain committees; for those and other purposes to amend the National Treasury Management Agency Act 1990 , the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2000 and certain other enactments and to repeal the National Pensions Reserve Fund Act 2000 , the National Development Finance Agency Act 2002 and certain other enactments; to amend the State Authorities (Public Private Partnership Arrangements) Act 2002 and the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 ; and to provide for related purposes. [26 th July, 2014] Be it enacted by the Oireachtas as follows: PART 1 Preliminary and General Short title, collective citation, construction and commencement 1. (1) This Act may be cited as the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2014. (2) This Act and the National Treasury Management Agency Acts 1990 and 2000 may be cited as the National Treasury Management Agency Acts 1990 to 2014 and shall be construed together as one. (3) This Act shall come into operation on such day or days as the Minister may appoint by order or orders generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision and different days may be so appointed for different purposes or different provisions. Definitions 2. In this Act— “Act of 1990” means National Treasury Management Agency Act 1990 ; “Act of 2000” means National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2000 ; “Agency” means National Treasury Management Agency; “enactment” has the same meaning as in the Interpretation Act 2005 ; “Minister” means Minister for Finance. Expenses 3. (1) The expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas. (2) The expenses incurred by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in the administration of this Act shall be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas. Orders 4. Every order (other than an order under section 1 (3)) made under this Act shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the order is passed by either such House within the next 21 days on which that House has sat after the order is laid before it, the order shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under the order. Amendments 5. (1) The Acts specified in each Part of Schedule 1 are amended to the extent specified in column (3) of that Part of that Schedule. (2) The statutory instruments specified in each Part of Schedule 2 are amended to the extent specified in column (3) of that Part of that Schedule. (3) The amendment of a statutory instrument by subsection (2) does not prevent or restrict the subsequent amendment or revocation of the instrument by another statutory instrument. Repeals 6. The following enactments are repealed: (a) the National Pensions Reserve Fund Act 2000 (other than section 30); (b) the National Development Finance Agency Act 2002 ; (c) the National Development Finance Agency (Amendment) Act 2007 ; (d) the Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2009 (other than sections 9 and 11 to 13). PART 2 National Treasury Management Agency Interpretation 7. Section 1(1) of the Act of 1990 is amended by inserting the following definitions: ‘appointed member’ means a member of the Agency appointed under section 3A(1)(a); ‘the Chairperson’ means the Chairperson of the Agency; ‘local authority’ has the same meaning as in the Local Government Act 2001 ;”. Membership 8. (1) The Act of 1990 is amended by inserting the following section after section 3: “Membership of Agency 3A. (1) The Agency shall comprise— (a) 6 members who shall be appointed by the Minister, and (b) the Chief Executive, the Secretary General of the Department of Finance and the Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as ex officio members. (2) The Minister shall appoint a person to be an appointed member only if, in the opinion of the Minister, the person has expertise and experience at a senior level in one or more of the following areas: (a) investment; (b) treasury management; (c) business management; (d) finance; (e) economics or economic development; (f) law; (g) accounting and auditing; (h) actuarial practice; (i) risk management; (j) insurance; (k) project finance; (l) corporate finance; (m) the Civil Service of the Government or the Civil Service of the State. (3) The Minister shall, subject to subsection (2) and in so far as is reasonably practicable, ensure an equitable balance between men and women in the membership of the Agency. (4) The Minister shall appoint one of the appointed members as the Chairperson. (5) Schedule A shall apply in relation to the members and Chairperson.” (2) The Act of 1990 is amended by inserting the following Schedule before the First Schedule: “SCHEDULE A Section 3A Members of Agency Disqualification from appointment (1) A person who is a member of either House of the Oireachtas, the European Parliament or a local authority is disqualified from being appointed as an appointed member. Terms of office: appointed members 2. (1) Subject to subparagraph (2), the term of office of an appointed member is 5 years. (2) Of the initial appointed members, the Minister shall appoint 2 members for a term of office of 3 years and 2 members for a term of office of 4 years. (3) Subject to subparagraph (4), an appointed member whose term of office expires by the passage of time is eligible for re-appointment as an appointed member. (4) An appointed member is not eligible to serve for more than 2 consecutive terms of office. Terms of office: ex officio members (3) An ex officio member holds office as such for as long as he or she holds or performs the duties of the office by virtue of which he or she is such a member. Remuneration of appointed members 4. (1) An appointed member shall be paid such remuneration and such allowances in reimbursement of expenses incurred as the Minister from time to time determines. (2) An appointed member holds office on such terms (other than as to the payment of remuneration and allowances for expenses incurred) as the Minister determines at the time of the member’s appointment. Disqualification for and ceasing to hold office 5. (1) A person ceases to be qualified to be an appointed member and (where he or she is an appointed member) ceases to hold office if he or she— (a) is adjudicated bankrupt, (b) makes a composition or arrangement with creditors, (c) is convicted of an indictable offence in relation to a company, (d) is convicted of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty, whether or not in connection with a company, (e) has a declaration under section 150 of the Companies Act 1990 made against him or her or is subject, or is deemed to be subject, to a disqualification order by virtue of Part VII of that Act, or (f) is sentenced by a court of competent jurisdiction to a term of imprisonment. (2) If an appointed member— (a) is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann, (b) is elected as a member of either House of the Oireachtas or to be a member of the European Parliament, (c) is regarded, pursuant to Part XIII of the Second Schedule to the European Parliament Elections Act 1997 , as having been elected to the European Parliament, or (d) becomes a member of a local authority, he or she thereupon ceases to be an appointed member. (3) An appointed member may resign his or her membership of the Agency by letter addressed to the Minister and the resignation takes effect on the date (if any) specified in the letter or on the date the Minister receives the letter, whichever is the later. (4) The Minister may, on reasonable notice in writing at any time, remove an appointed member from membership of the Agency (or, if the appointed member concerned is the Chairperson, either from membership of the Agency or only from being Chairperson) if— (a) in the Minister’s opinion, the member— (i) is not adequately performing his or her functions, whether because of incapacity through illness or injury or otherwise, or (ii) has committed misconduct specified in the notice, (b) the Minister is satisfied that the member has contravened the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 , or (c) his or her removal appears to the Minister to be necessary or expedient for the effective performance by the Agency of its functions. Filling of casual vacancies, etc. 6. If an appointed member dies, ceases to be a member of the Agency, resigns his or her membership of the Agency or is removed from membership of the Agency, the Minister may (as an alternative to making a new appointment for 5 years) appoint a person to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term of office of the member whose death, cessation of membership, resignation or removal occasioned the vacancy. Vacancies in membership 7. Subject to this Act, the Agency may act notwithstanding one or more vacancies in its membership. Chairperson 8. (1) The Chairperson holds office as Chairperson for 5 years or until the end of his or her term of office as an appointed member, whichever is the earlier. (2) The Chairperson may resign as the Chairperson (with or without also resigning as an appointed member) by letter addressed to the Minister and the resignation takes effect on the date (if any) specified in the letter or on the date the Minister receives the letter, whichever is the later. (3) If the Chairperson dies or ceases for any reason to be an appointed member, the Minister shall appoint another appointed member to fill the vacancy as the Chairperson. (4) The Minister may determine that the Chairperson shall be paid additional remuneration or allowances on account of his or her responsibilities as the Chairperson.” Procedure 9. (1) The Act of 1990 is amended by inserting the following section after section 3A (inserted by section 8 (1)): “Procedure of Agency 3B.(1) The Agency shall hold such and so many meetings as may be necessary for the performance of its functions. (2) Schedule B shall apply in relation to meetings of, and other procedural matters relating to, the Agency.” (2) The Act of 1990 is amended by inserting the following Schedule after Schedule A (inserted by section 8 (2)): “SCHEDULE B Section 3B Meetings and Procedure of Agency Meetings 1. (1) The quorum for a meeting of the Agency is 5, or, if there is a vacancy in the membership of the Agency, 4 while the vacancy exists. (2) A meeting held while there is a vacancy in the Agency is validly held notwithstanding the vacancy so long as there is a quorum. (3) At a meeting of the Agency— (a) if the Chairperson is present, he or she shall preside over the meeting, and (b) if the Chairperson is not present or the office of Chairperson is vacant, the members present shall choose one of the appointed members present to be chairperson of the meeting. (4) At a meeting of the Agency each member present has a vote and any question on which a vote is required in order to establish the Agency’s view on the matter shall be determined by a majority of votes of members present and voting on the question. (5) In the case of an equal division of votes, the Chairperson or other member presiding over the meeting has an additional casting vote. Procedure 2. Subject to this Act, the Agency shall regulate, by rules or otherwise, its procedure (including its procedure for electronic meetings) and business. Electronic meetings 3. (1) In addition to meeting with all participants physically present, the Agency may hold or continue a meeting by the use of any means of communication by which all the participants can hear and be heard at the same time (in this Schedule referred to as an ‘electronic meeting’). (2) A member of the Agency who participates in an electronic meeting is taken for all purposes to have been present at the meeting. (3) The Agency may establish procedures for electronic meetings (including the recording of such meetings) in its rules. Resolution by circulation of copies 4. (1) The Agency may pass a resolution without a meeting being held if— (a) all of the members entitled to vote on the resolution are given notice of the resolution, and (b) a majority of them sign a document containing a statement that they are in favour of the resolution in the document. (2) A resolution referred to in subparagraph (1) may be passed by the members, or some of them, signing separate copies of the document referred to in clause (b) of that subparagraph if the date and time of each signature is indicated on the document. (3) A resolution passed in accordance with this paragraph is taken to have been passed at the time when a majority of members entitled to vote on the resolution have signed, or have signed copies of, the document referred to in subparagraph (1)(b). Seal 5. (1) The seal of the Agency shall be authenticated by the signature of any 2 members or in any other way that the Agency resolves. (2) Judicial notice shall be taken of the seal of the Agency. (3) A document purporting to be an instrument made by, and sealed with the seal of, the Agency, and purporting to be authenticated in accordance with subparagraph (1), shall be received in evidence and be taken to be such an instrument unless the contrary is shown. (4) Any contract or instrument which, if entered into or executed by an individual, would not require to be under seal, may be entered into or executed on behalf of the Agency by any person generally or specially authorised by the Agency to act in that behalf.” Committees 10. The Act of 1990 is amended by inserting the following sections after section 5: “Investment Committee 5A. (1) There shall be an Investment Committee of the Agency. (2) The Investment Committee shall have the functions specified in section 41 (5) of the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2014. (3) The Investment Committee shall comprise— (a) 2 of the appointed members nominated by the Agency, and (b) not more than 5 persons who are not members of the Agency but who have acquired substantial relevant expertise and experience and who are appointed by the Agency with the consent of the Minister. (4) No member of staff of the Agency may be appointed as a member of the Investment Committee. (5) The Agency shall appoint one of the members of the Investment Committee appointed under subsection (3)(a) to chair the Investment Committee. (6) A member of the Investment Committee appointed under subsection (3)(b) shall be paid such remuneration and such allowances for expenses incurred as the Agency from time to time with the consent of the Minister determines. (7) A member of the Investment Committee holds office on such terms (other than as to the payment of remuneration and allowances for expenses incurred) as the Agency determines at the time of the member’s nomination or appointment. (8) The Agency may regulate the procedure of the Investment Committee but, subject to that, it shall regulate its own procedure. Other committees 5B. (1) The Agency may establish such committees as it considers appropriate to perform such of the Agency’s functions as may be delegated to any such committee. (2) A committee established under this section may at any time be dissolved by the Agency. (3) A committee established under this section shall comprise members appointed by the Agency. (4) The members of a committee established under this section shall include at least one member of the Agency but may also include the Chief Executive or any other member of staff of the Agency or any other person appearing to the Agency to be suitable for appointment to the committee having regard to its functions. (5) The Agency shall appoint one of the members of a committee who is a member of the Agency to chair it. (6) A member of a committee established under this section who is not a member of the Agency or the Chief Executive or another member of staff of the Agency shall be paid such remuneration and such allowances in reimbursement of expenses incurred as the Agency from time to time with the consent of the Minister determines. (7) A member of a committee established under this section holds office on such terms (other than as to the payment of remuneration and allowances for expenses incurred) as the Agency determines at the time of the member’s appointment. (8) The Agency may regulate the procedure of a committee established under this section but, subject to that, the committee shall regulate its own procedure.” Chief Executive 11. Section 6 of the Act of 1990 is amended— (a) by substituting the following for subsection (2): “(2) The Chief Executive shall manage and control generally the administration and business of the Agency and shall perform any other functions— (a) conferred on the Chief Executive by or under this Act or any other enactment, or (b) delegated to the Chief Executive by the Agency (which may delegate any specified function of the Agency or all the functions of the Agency other than specified ones).”, (b) in subsection (3), by substituting “Agency after consultation with the Minister” for “Minister after consultation with the Committee”, (c) by substituting the following for subsection (4): (4) The Chief Executive may delegate to members of staff of the Agency any function— (a) conferred on the Chief Executive by or under this Act or any other enactment, or (b) delegated to the Chief Executive by the Agency.”, (d) by deleting subsection (5), (e) in subsection (6), by substituting “The Agency, with the consent of the Minister” for “The Minister”, (f) by deleting subsection (7), and (g) in subsection (8), by substituting “The Chief Executive shall not” for “Neither the Chief Executive nor the Acting Chief Executive shall”. Accountability of Chief Executive 12. The Act of 1990 is amended by inserting the following sections after section 6: “Accountability to Public Accounts Committee 6A. (1) The Chief Executive shall, whenever required in writing to do so by the Committee of Dáil Éireann established under the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann to examine and report to Dáil Éireann on the appropriation accounts and reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (in this section referred to as the ‘Committee’), give evidence to that Committee in relation to— (a) the regularity and propriety of the transactions recorded or required to be recorded in any book or other record of account subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General that the Agency is required by or under this Act or any other enactment to prepare, (b) the economy and efficiency of the Agency in the use of its resources, (c) the systems, procedures and practices employed by the Agency for the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of its operations, and (d) any matter affecting the Agency referred to in a special report of the Comptroller and Auditor General under section 11 (2) of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993 , or (in so far as it relates to a matter specified in paragraph (a), (b) or (c)) in any other report of the Comptroller and Auditor General that is laid before Dáil Éireann. (2) In the performance of his or her duties under subsection (1), the Chief Executive shall not question or express an opinion on the merits of any policy of the Government or a Minister of the Government or on the merits of the objectives of such a policy. Appearances before other Oireachtas committees 6B. (1) In this section ‘Committee’ means a Committee appointed by either House of the Oireachtas or jointly by both Houses of the Oireachtas (other than the Committee referred to in section 6A or the Committee on Members’ Interests of Dáil Éireann or the Committee on Members’ Interests of Seanad Éireann) or a sub-committee of such a Committee. (2) Subject to subsection (3), the Chairperson and the Chief Executive shall, at the request in writing of a Committee, attend before it to give account for the general administration of the Agency. (3) The Chairperson and the Chief Executive shall not be required to give account before a Committee for any matter which is or has been or may at a future time be the subject of proceedings before a court or tribunal in the State. (4) Where the Chairperson or the Chief Executive is of the opinion that a matter in respect of which he or she is requested to give an account before a Committee is a matter to which subsection (3) applies, he or she shall inform the Committee of that opinion and the reasons for the opinion and, unless the information is conveyed to the Committee at a time when the Chairperson or the Chief Executive is before it, the information shall be so conveyed in writing. (5) Where the Chairperson or the Chief Executive has informed a Committee of his or her opinion in accordance with subsection (4) and the Committee does not withdraw the request referred to in subsection (2) in so far as it relates to a matter the subject of that opinion— (a) the Chairperson or the Chief Executive may, not later than 21 days after being informed by the Committee of its decision not to do so, apply to the High Court in a summary manner for determination of the question whether the matter is one to which subsection (3) applies, or (b) the person who chairs the Committee may, on behalf of the Committee, make such an application, and the High Court shall determine the matter. (6) Pending the determination of an application under subsection (5), the Chairperson and the Chief Executive shall not attend before the Committee to give account for the matter the subject of the application. (7) If the High Court determines that the matter concerned is one to which subsection (3) applies, the Committee shall withdraw the request referred to in subsection (2), but if the High Court determines that subsection (3) does not apply, the Chairperson and the Chief Executive shall attend before the Committee to give account for the matter. (8) In the performance of his or her duties under this section, the Chairperson and the Chief Executive shall not question or express an opinion on the merits of any policy of the Government or a Minister of the Government or on the merits of the objectives of such a policy.” Disqualification of members of staff 13. The Act of 1990 is amended by substituting the following for section 10: “Membership of Oireachtas, European Parliament or local authority by members of staff 10. (1) A person who is a member of either House of the Oireachtas, the European Parliament or a local authority is disqualified from being employed in any capacity by the Agency. (2) Where a member of staff of the Agency— (a) is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann, (b) is elected as a member of either House of the Oireachtas or to be a member of the European Parliament, (c) is regarded, pursuant to Part XIII of the Second Schedule to the European Parliament Elections Act 1997 , as having been elected to the European Parliament, or (d) becomes a member of a local authority, he or she shall thereupon stand seconded from employment by the Agency and shall not be paid by, or be entitled to receive from, the Agency any remuneration or allowances in respect of the period commencing on such nomination or election or when he or she is so regarded as having been elected or becomes a member of a local authority (as the case may be), and ending when such person ceases to be a member of either such House or a member of the European Parliament or local authority. (3) A period mentioned in subsection (2) shall not, for the purposes of any superannuation benefit, be reckoned as service with the Agency.” Accounts and audit 14. Section 12 of the Act of 1990 is amended— (a) by substituting the following for subsection (2): “(2) Accounts kept in pursuance of this section shall be signed by the Chief Executive (who shall be the officer accountable for such accounts for the purposes of the Comptroller and Auditor General Acts 1866 to 1998) and an appointed member. (2A) Accounts kept in pursuance of this section shall be submitted by the Agency to the Comptroller and Auditor General for audit as soon as may be, but not later than 4 months, after the end of the financial year of the Agency to which they relate. (2B) A copy of the accounts as so audited shall, as soon as may be, be given to the Minister who shall cause copies to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.”, and (b) by deleting subsection (4) (inserted by section 20 (5)(b) of the National Development Finance Agency Act 2002 ). Disclosure of interests 15. The Act of 1990 is amended by inserting the following section after section 13: “Disclosure of certain interests by members of Agency or committees of Agency 13A. (1) This section applies to a person who is a member of— (a) the Agency, (b) the Investment Committee of the Agency, or (c) any committee established under section 5B, and who has a material interest in any matter which falls to be considered by the Agency or the Investment Committee or any other committee of the Agency. (2) A person to whom this section applies shall— (a) disclose to the Agency, the Investment Committee or the committee concerned the fact of his or her interest and its nature in advance of consideration of the matter, (b) neither influence nor seek to influence a decision to be made in relation to the matter, (c) take no part in consideration of the matter, (d) absent himself or herself from the meeting or the part of the meeting concerned during which the matter is discussed, and (e) not vote on a decision relating to the matter. (3) Where a material interest is disclosed pursuant to this section, the disclosure shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting of the Agency, the Investment Committee or the committee concerned and, for so long as the matter to which the disclosure relates is being dealt with by the meeting, the member by whom the disclosure is made shall not be counted in the quorum for the meeting. (4) Where at a meeting of the Agency, the Investment Committee or any other committee of the Agency a question arises as to whether or not a course of conduct, if pursued by a person, would constitute a failure by the person to comply with the requirements of subsection (2), the question shall, subject to subsection (5), be determined by the person chairing the meeting, whose decision shall be final and, where such a question is so determined, particulars of the determination shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting of the Agency, the Investment Committee or the committee concerned. (5) Where at a meeting of the Agency, the Investment Committee or any other committee of the Agency, the person chairing the meeting is the member in respect of whom a question to which subsection (4) applies falls to be determined, then the other members attending the meeting shall choose one of the members present at the meeting to chair the meeting for the purpose of determining the question concerned. (6) Where the Minister is satisfied, on being informed by the Agency, that a person who is a member of the Agency has contravened subsection (2), the Minister shall decide the appropriate action (including removal from office) to be taken in relation to that person and may, if he or she thinks fit, remove that person from office and that person shall then be disqualified for membership of the Agency, the Investment Committee or any other committee of the Agency. (7) Where the Agency is satisfied that a person who is a member of the Investment Committee or any other committee of the Agency but not a member of the Agency has contravened subsection (2), the Agency shall decide the appropriate action (including removal from office) to be taken in relation to that person and may, if it thinks fit, remove that person from office. (8) In this section and section 13B ‘material interest’ shall be construed in accordance with section 2 (3) of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 . Disclosure of certain interests by members of staff of Agency 13B.(1) Where a function falls to be performed by a member of the staff of the Agency and the member of staff has a material interest in a matter to which the function relates, the member of staff shall— (a) disclose to the Chief Executive the fact of his or her interest and its nature, (b) not perform the function, and (c) neither influence nor seek to influence a decision to be made in the matter nor make any recommendation in relation to the matter. (2) Subsection (1) shall not apply to functions relating to contracts or proposed contracts of employment of members of the staff of the Agency with the Agency. (3) Where the Chief Executive is satisfied that a member of staff has contravened subsection (1), the Chief Executive shall decide the appropriate action to be taken.” Indemnification 16. The Act of 1990 is amended by inserting the following section after section 13B (inserted by section 15): “Indemnification 13C.(1) This section applies to a person who is or has been— (a) a member of the Agency, (b) a member of the Investment Committee or any committee established under section 5B, (c) a member of the staff of the Agency, (d) a member of the National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission, or (e) a member of the Board of the National Development Finance Agency. (2) Where the Agency is satisfied that a person to whom this section applies has discharged the person’s duties in relation to functions of the Agency, the National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission or the Board of the National Development Finance Agency in good faith, the Agency shall indemnify the person against any actions or claims, however they arise, in relation to the discharge by that person of those duties. (3) The Agency shall not be prevented from revoking an indemnity granted to, or recovering any payment made pursuant to such an indemnity from, a person who is subsequently found to have carried out his or her duties in bad faith.” Disclosure of confidential information 17. The Act of 1990 is amended by substituting the following for section 14: “Disclosure of confidential information 14. (1) Except in the circumstances specified in subsection (3) a person shall not disclose confidential information obtained by him or her while performing functions as— (a) a member, or member of the staff, of the Agency, (b) a member of the Investment Committee or any committee established under section 5B, or (c) an adviser or consultant or other person providing services to the Agency or as a member of the staff of such adviser or consultant or other person. (2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable— (a) on summary conviction, to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both, or (b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or both. (3) A person does not contravene subsection (1) by disclosing confidential information if the disclosure— (a) is made in the performance of functions of the Agency, (b) is made to or authorised by the Agency, (c) is made to the Minister, (d) is made by a person in the circumstances referred to in section 35 (2) of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 , (e) is made to a member of the Garda Síochána and, in the opinion of the person making the disclosure, the information may relate to the commission of an offence (whether an offence under this Act or not), or (f) is required by law. (4) In this section ‘confidential information’ includes— (a) information that is expressed by the Agency to be confidential either as regards particular information or as regards information of a particular class or description, and (b) proposals of a commercial nature or tenders submitted to the Agency by contractors, consultants or any other person.” PART 3 State Assets and Investment Introductory 18. (1) When performing functions under or for the purposes of this Part the Agency may describe itself as the New Economy and Recovery Authority (or “NewERA”). (2) In this Part— “designated body” means— (a) the Electricity Supply Board, (b) Ervia, (c) Bord na Móna plc, (d) Coillte Teoranta (being a company formed and registered under the Companies Acts as provided for by section 9 of the Forestry Act 1988 ), (e) EirGrid plc, (f) Irish Water, (g) any other State body which is specified in an order under subsection (3), and (h) a subsidiary (within the meaning of the Companies Acts) of a designated body referred to in any of paragraphs (a) to (g) or any company in which such a designated body has an interest; “relevant Minister”, in relation to a designated body, means any Minister of the Government who— (a) holds shares in, (b) has general responsibility for, or (c) has any function in relation to, the designated body; “shares” includes stock; “State body” means a body established by or under an enactment and which is controlled, directly or indirectly, by a Minister of the Government. (3) The Minister may, following consultation with the Agency and with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and any other Minister of the Government who holds shares in, has general responsibility for or has any function in relation to a State body, by order provide that the State body shall be a designated body for the purposes of this Part if the Minister considers that it is in the financial interests of the State to do so. (4) Where a designated body is dissolved, restructured or amalgamated with another body, the Minister may, following consultation with the Agency and with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and any other Minister of the Government who holds (or held) shares in, has (or had) general responsibility for or has (or had) any function in relation to the designated body, by order provide that it shall cease to be a designated body. Financial and commercial advisory functions relating to designated bodies 19. (1) The Agency shall provide financial and commercial advisory services to a Minister of the Government who is a relevant Minister in relation to a designated body. (2) For the purposes of this section and section 20 , “financial and commercial advisory services”, in relation to a designated body and a Minister of the Government, means services consisting of advice relating to any of the following matters: (a) the performance of any functions of the Minister of the Government (whether or not under any enactment) in relation to the designated body (other than a general function relating to a sector of the economy); (b) the exercise of rights attaching to any shares held by the Minister of the Government in the capital of the designated body; (c) the governance of the designated body and its financial and commercial operation, including the rate of return on capital expected from the designated body and the appropriate dividend policy for the designated body; (d) the corporate strategy and capital and investment plans of the designated body; (e) any steps that may be necessary or expedient to take to protect, enhance or realise the value of any interest held by the Minister of the Government in the designated body; (f) any proposed acquisition or disposal of any interest in the designated body; (g) any proposed winding up, reorganisation or restructuring of the designated body; (h) the appointment of the chairperson, members, directors or chief executive of the designated body; (i) the remuneration of the chairperson, members, directors or chief executive of the designated body. (3) The Agency shall, if a Minister of the Government who is a relevant Minister in relation to a designated body requests it to do so, provide project management services in relation to, or services consisting of overseeing— (a) any acquisition or disposal of any interest in, or any assets of, the designated body, or (b) any winding up, reorganisation or restructuring of the designated body. (4) In performing its functions under this section the Agency shall have regard to the objective of seeking the effective and efficient application of capital by the designated bodies taken as whole. (5) The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform may, with the consent of the Minister, give to the Agency directions as to the performance of its functions under this section and the Agency shall comply with any such directions. (6) Before giving a direction under subsection (5) the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform shall consult each Minister who is a relevant Minister in relation to a designated body likely to be affected by the performance by the Agency of any of its functions under this section in compliance with the direction. (7) As soon as is reasonably practicable after giving a direction under subsection (5), the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform shall publish the direction in such manner as he or she considers appropriate. Financial and commercial advisory functions relating to other bodies 20. (1) The Agency may provide— (a) financial and commercial advisory services to any Minister of the Government in relation to any State body that is not a designated body where that Minister holds shares in, has general responsibility for or has any function in relation to that body, or (b) advisory services to any Minister of the Government in relation to any asset held by that Minister, for which that Minister has general responsibility or in relation to which that Minister has any function, where that Minister makes a request to the Agency to provide the services. (2) The Agency may, on the request of any Minister of the Government, provide advisory services or project management services in relation to, or services consisting of overseeing— (a) any acquisition or disposal of any interest in or any assets of any State body that is not a designated body where that Minister holds shares in, has general responsibility for or has any function in relation to that body or any other asset which that Minister holds, for which that Minister has general responsibility or in relation to which that Minister has any function, or (b) any winding up, reorganisation or restructuring of any State body that is not a designated body where the Minister holds shares in, has general responsibility for or has any function in relation to that body. Annual performance reports on designated bodies 21. (1) The Agency shall, in respect of each designated body, assess its financial performance and prepare, at least annually, a report on its financial performance. (2) The Agency shall submit each report under subsection (1) to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and each Minister of the Government who is a relevant Minister in relation to the designated body. (3) A report under subsection (1) shall be in such form and cover such matters as the relevant Minister or Ministers may, after consulting the Agency, reasonably request. Proposals for investment 22. (1) The Agency may, in consultation with Ministers of the Government having functions in relation to the following sectors, develop proposals for investment in those sectors in order to support economic activity and employment: (a) energy; (b) water; (c) telecommunications; (d) forestry; (e) any other sector which is specified in an order under subsection (2) . (2) The Minister may, following consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and any other Minister whose functions relate to a sector, by order specify that sector as one within subsection (1) where the Minister believes it to be desirable to do so in the interests of supporting economic activity and employment. Obligations of Ministers 23. (1) Ministers of the Government shall provide the Agency with such information and other assistance as is necessary for the Agency to perform the functions conferred on it by sections 19 and 20 . (2) Where advice has been provided by the Agency under section 19 or 20, a relevant Minister shall have regard to the advice but this subsection does not prevent a relevant Minister having regard to any other advice or taking into account any other considerations. (3) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Part, the functions of any relevant Minister in relation to a designated body shall continue to be exercised by him or her in accordance with the policies from time to time formulated by that Minister in the performance of his or her functions as a Minister of the Government. Procedures 24. The Agency shall, in consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and other Ministers who are relevant Ministers in relation to designated bodies, establish procedures for the seeking and provision of advice pursuant to this Part, the seeking of further information from the Agency in relation to advice given by it and the provision to the Agency of the necessary information for it to perform its functions under this Part. PART 4 Infrastructure Projects Interpretation 25. In this Part— “appropriate Minister” means any Minister of the Government— (a) on whom functions stand conferred, or (b) who has general responsibility, in respect of or in connection with a public private partnership arrangement or a State authority; “company” means a company within the meaning of the Companies Acts; “equity” means any financial interest resulting from the purchase of shares for a consideration; “public investment projects” includes projects involving public private partnership arrangements; “public private partnership arrangement” means a public private partnership arrangement within the meaning of the State Authorities (Public Private Partnership Arrangements) Act 2002 ; “refinancing” means changing the terms and conditions, obligations and entitlements attached to arrangements for financing public investment projects, including cancelling and replacing such arrangements; “State authority” means a body specified in Schedule 3 or prescribed by order under section 29 for the purpose of paragraph 20 of that Schedule. Functions relating to projects 26. (1) The following are functions of the Agency— (a) to provide advice to any State authority of what, in the opinion of the Agency, are the optimal means of financing the cost of public investment projects in order to achieve value for money, (b) to provide advice to any State authority on all aspects of financing, refinancing and insurance of public investment projects to be duly undertaken by means of public private partnership arrangements or within the public sector, (c) to enter into a public private partnership arrangement with a view to transferring the rights and obligations under such an arrangement to any State authority, (d) to act as agent for any State authority in connection with the entry or proposed entry by that State authority into a public private partnership arrangement, or (e) to enter into any arrangement or contract to procure as agent for the Minister for Education and Skills any public investment project in relation to a school, educational facility or other building or structure, including the financing, management, design and construction of such building or structure, as that Minister may from time to time designate. (2) In performing its functions under this Part the Agency shall comply with all guidelines and instructions that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform may, from time to time, with the consent of the Minister, issue to the Agency. (3) When performing functions under or for the purposes of this Part the Agency may describe itself as the National Development Finance Agency. Policy directions and guidance 27. (1) In exercising its functions under section 26 (1) the Agency shall have regard to— (a) such policy directions as the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform may issue for the purposes of this paragraph to State authorities from time to time in relation to the financing of public investment projects, and (b) such policy guidance as the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform may issue for the purposes of this paragraph to State authorities from time to time in relation to the process, procedures and regulation generally of public private partnership arrangements. (2) The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform shall cause a copy of every policy direction and policy guidance issued under subsection (1) to be sent to the Agency. (3) The provision of advice by the Agency under this Act may include, where appropriate, advice as regards the engaging of consultancy services across the range of technical and other relevant expertise necessary to undertake such projects. Obligation of State authority 28. Subject to any guidelines that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform may from time to time issue for the purposes of this section and section 26 (2) in respect of public investment projects, including— (a) the type of project, (b) the size of the project, (c) the stage of development of the project, and (d) any other relevant factors that will determine projects on which the Agency’s advice will be sought, a State authority shall seek the advice of the Agency as soon as is practicable before undertaking a public investment project. Prescribing of State authority, etc. 29. (1) Where the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, following consultation with any appropriate Minister, is of the opinion that, having regard to the functions of the Agency under this Part and the functions of the public authority concerned, it would be appropriate for a public authority, not being a State authority, to be so prescribed by order under this section, then he or she may, by order, prescribe the public authority for the purposes of paragraph 20 of Schedule 3 . (2) Where the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, following consultation with any appropriate Minister, is of the opinion that, having regard to the dissolution, restructuring or amalgamation of a State authority, a reference to a State authority specified in Schedule 3 ought to cease to have effect, then he or she may, by order, declare that it shall cease to have effect. (3) In this section “public authority” means— (a) a person which at any time stood specified in Schedule 3 or was prescribed by order under this section for the purposes of paragraph 20 of that Schedule, (b) a board, authority or other person (other than a company) established by or under any Act, (c) a company in which all the shares are held— (i) by or on behalf of a Minister of the Government, or (ii) by directors appointed by a Minister of the Government, or (d) a company in which all the shares are held by a board, authority or person referred to in paragraph (b) or by a company referred to in paragraph (c). Repayment of expenses of Agency 30. (1) The costs and expenses incurred by the Agency in the performance of functions under section 26 (1) in relation to a specific project or specific arrangement referred to in that subsection may be paid out of advances made by the Minister under subsection (4) . (2) The costs and expenses referred to in subsection (1) shall, as soon practicable after they are paid by the Agency, be repaid to the Agency by the appropriate State authority or State authorities concerned with that project or arrangement. (3) All moneys received by the Agency under subsection (2) shall be paid into the Post Office Savings Bank Fund. (4) The Minister may, for the purposes of subsection (1), advance moneys from the Post Office Savings Bank Fund to the Agency. (5) The power of the Minister under subsection (4) may be exercised by the Agency. (6) In this section “costs and expenses” includes— (a) any fee payable or any payment due to a consultant, adviser, contractor, subcontractor, supplier or other service provider engaged by the Agency for the purposes of this Part, and (b) any other costs, charges or expenses incurred by the Agency in the performance of its functions under this Part. PART 5 Claims Management Interpretation 31. (1) In this Part— “Act of 2001” means Children Act 2001 ; “claim for costs” shall be construed in accordance with section 32 ; “counterclaim” means, in proceedings against a State authority, a counterclaim made by that authority for compensation or damages where the matter in relation to which that counterclaim is made does not stand delegated to the Agency by virtue of an order under section 9(1) of the Act of 2000; “costs” means fees, disbursements, charges and expenses and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, includes a bill of costs in respect of a barrister or solicitor or of a person who appears as an expert witness; “delegated claim” means a claim for costs, or a claim for costs of a class, the management of which stands delegated to the Agency under subsection (1) of section 34 and which is not the subject of a direction under subsection (8) of that section; “manage” means— (a) in relation to a claim for costs falling within paragraph (a) of the definition of that expression in section 32 , take the steps necessary or expedient for the purposes of disposing (whether by agreement or otherwise) of the claim and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, includes— (i) perform the clerical and other administrative functions relating to the claim and the disposal of it, (ii) examine the claim and form an opinion as to the correctness, appropriateness or reasonableness of individual amounts, items or other matters set out in it, (iii) retain the services of professional and other expert advisers in relation to the claim, the other matters referred to in subparagraph (ii) and the liability (including the amount of the potential financial liability) of the State authority concerned in respect of the claim and the amount (if any) that would be reasonable to pay in settlement of the claim, and (iv) represent the State authority concerned in a court or other tribunal or before— (I) the Taxing-Master or a county registrar, or (II) an arbitrator or a mediator, in relation to the claim, and (b) in relation to a claim for costs falling within paragraph (b) of the definition of that expression in section 32 , take the steps necessary or expedient for the purposes of disposing (whether by agreement or otherwise) of the claim and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, includes retain the services of professional and other expert advisers in relation to the claim, and do, in relation to it, the same things as are referred to in subparagraph (i) and (iv) of paragraph (a); “relevant Minister of the Government”, in relation to a delegated claim, means— (a) in a case where the claim for costs, the subject of the delegation, is against or, as appropriate, in favour of a Minister of the Government, the Minister of the Government concerned, (b) in a case where the claim for costs, the subject of the delegation, is against or, as appropriate, in favour of the State or the Attorney General, the Taoiseach, and (c) in a case where the claim for costs, the subject of the delegation, is against or, as appropriate, in favour of any …