Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

Since the summer, we have witnessed extraordinary turmoil in the financial markets with depositors queueing outside Northern Rock to withdraw their money. Given the Dáil was in recess, it was impossible to engage in any kind of debate with the Minister for Finance in respect of this important event and whether, in terms of our economic situation, there will be a need for Supplementary Estimates given the fall in revenues in respect of stamp duty. The finance and public service committee seems nowhere near convening. We do not know whether it will convene next month, the month after or Christmas.

Will the Tánaiste allow time for a debate in respect of the enormous changes and turmoil in the economy here and on a worldwide basis? Also, will he guarantee Irish bank depositors, over and beyond the minimal guarantee currently in operation, that their savings are secure even where they bank on-line?

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