John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We propose to deal with the tracker mortgage issue first so the Minister's opening statement should deal with that. Then we will deal with the reform piece and the Minister should read an opening statement related to that issue. We have to finish at 4.45 p.m. and the new politics mean our activity is confined. In the interests of democracy, our discussion is cut back and we cannot have full engagement or an engagement for as long as we like. We need more committee rooms.

I have been asked by members to tell the Minister that we are disappointed to have only just received his statement. It is not good enough. The clerk had made numerous phone calls to try to get the Minister's statement before the meeting but we have only just received it this minute.