Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

We are being asked to agree to a motion relating to the arrangements for next week's business. Yesterday, the Opposition parties were approached to agree a certain arrangement in respect of the ordering of business next week in order that the budget and the Government's scheme relating to the bail-out of the banks might be accommodated on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, of next week. We were subsequently informed that the scheme had been prepared and a briefing was arranged for my party's finance spokesperson. However, I am still unsure when the scheme will be brought before the House.

On Monday the Government of Denmark announced a scheme relating to the banks in that country and details of said scheme have been made available. On Wednesday the British Government did likewise and made available the essential details relating to its scheme. It is nine days since the Government introduced legislation relating to the bail-out of the banks in this country, but the details of the scheme relating to that bail-out have not yet been brought before the House. If a week is a long time in politics, it is an eternity when it comes to the banks and the financial markets. Before I agree to the proposal before the House, I wish the Minister for Health and Children to clarify when the scheme will be introduced.

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