Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I can keep on speaking when the Deputy speaks; I am well capable of doing it. It continues to be a source of interest to me that the Deputy makes the briefest of points to me and when I deal with it, the only reaction he can have is to try to shout down my response.

The point I made, and continued to make it despite the Deputy shouting at me, is that I am unsure why he should offer the nationalisation of a bank overnight as being the right way to handle an important matter. It is not the right way of handling it. I accept it has taken time to get to this point. The Deputy stated he does not believe the reason I offer for why it has taken this long but perhaps he can outline why he believes it has taken so long to do this if he does not accept my explanation. All I can outline to the committee is the truth, which is that I have been very committed to bringing forward this legislation. It has taken longer than I anticipated to try to resolve the different matters raised with me and my Department from a legal perspective. It has taken time to do that. I am nevertheless here with the legislation and I look forward to co-operating with the Deputy and this committee to try to make progress in bringing it forward. I accept it has taken time to get to this point.