Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

——that Deputy Kenny was making. If the Deputies do not want me to make a point, I will leave it at that. I have listened intently to what Members have said.

The situation is that we have been informed that the final version of the Bill will be available at 9.45 p.m. and that the debate can begin at 10 p.m. The idea behind bringing the legislation forward today is to give legislative expression to the statement of principle that was made this morning. It is important that this should be in the public domain and that the Minister for Finance should set out in detail the legislative expression of that statement of principle. We have seen the positive reaction of the markets today. Bringing forward this Bill at 10 p.m. — and I apologise for the delay — is in the interests of the country and this House.

See this speech in context