Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I was about to say it is great to see the Minister, Deputy Harney, back. The only person missing in order to have matters as they used to be is the Taoiseach's predecessor.

When Deputy Harney says it is the Government's intention to bring the Bill forward as quickly as possible if it is cleared by the ECB and the Commission today or tomorrow, may we take it the Dáil might meet on Monday in order to devote proper and adequate time to deal with this matter separately from the budget and from the Taoiseach having to deal with heads of government in Brussels?

Will the Minister give us an update in regard to the fact that the ECB has reduced interest rates by 0.5%? We do not want a situation where Irish banks are profiteering on the backs of taxpayers. This affects tens of thousands of householders. Two banks have announced they will pass on the interest reduction to their mortgage payers. That is absolutely appropriate and welcome. However, it should be clear that this is the first test of the Government under the new regime and the legislation we passed last week. We are now deeply involved in the banking sector. We must see that the interests of taxpayers are protected. It should be made clear to the banks that this interest rate reduction must be passed on to those tens of thousands of extremely hard-pressed mortgage payers in the shortest possible time. When the Minister replies could she tell the House whether we know the extent of rolled-up interest there is in these banks?

I welcome the publication of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill or fair deal Bill. According to reports on the media this morning, this Bill might not become effective until the middle of next year. There are thousands of people who are exceptionally hard-pressed in terms of paying nursing home bills. Can the Minister advise the House when the Bill will be taken here? Can she guarantee there will be sufficient time allocated to debate it given that all Deputies in the House will want to have a say on it?

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