Mr. Dick Spring:

I understand. I continue to live in rural Ireland, as Deputy Higgins is aware, and I interact with many customers of the bank daily. Many people are hurting. Of our mortgage holders, 90% are paying their way and 10% are in serious difficulties. We are addressing those difficulties. Deputy Higgins is implying that I should not be out there working or earning money, on all of which I pay my taxes. I am proud to do so and will continue to work on behalf of people who are in difficulties in the banks. We did not cause the crisis, but we are trying to find a solution. We are giving a great deal of our time to work with the bank to find a solution for the many people who are hard pressed to pay their debts each week and to provide for their families. It is only when the economy returns to viability that we will be in a position to solve many of the problems we face.