Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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All that has motivated my colleagues and I in attending this committee is to be fair and supportive of all those who depend on our banks. This Government and my party have overseen significant change to reduce mortgage arrears in our country to help those who are in difficulty and distressed with debt. We have overseen a substantial number of restructures in our economy and, quarter by quarter, we have seen a reduction in the number of mortgage arrears. That is our track record and I do not need Deputy Pearse Doherty to impugn it in any way. That is what this party and Government have delivered.

Deputy Doherty is consistent in putting forward ideas that he pretends will solve all difficulties while not acknowledging the substantial consequences of what he is looking to do, which were acknowledged as risks by the Central Bank of Ireland and the European Central Bank. At a time when poor policy and ill thought-out regulation caused such harm to our economy, Deputy Doherty is perpetrating the same behaviour. My colleagues and I are here to be clear that we want to ensure that those who need protection receive it and that those who need our banks for credit to buy a home or support the family business are present in this debate too. At the very least, an independent cost-benefit analysis needs to be done before this Bill can be allowed to move forward, which my Department would be happy to fund but which would be independently chosen. I will not play any role in who will do the work. That is a decision for the committee.