Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Will the Taoiseach confirm if the detail of the regulations for the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act will be circulated to all Opposition party spokespersons tomorrow, as was signalled? The Taoiseach indicated that the detail of the outworking will be addressed by motion on Friday. I presume amendments are acceptable if Members wish to table them and if this is not the case, can the Taoiseach clarify what exactly is the position? Will we see a straight proposition that is either "aye" or "nay"? Will we have the opportunity to make arguments or will they be disallowed because of the financial implications, as is so often the case in these matters? Will the Taoiseach spell out the outworking of this for Friday's session?

The Minister for Finance appealed to the various financial institutions to ensure that the full 0.5% decrease in the European Central Bank rate is passed on. Will the Taoiseach indicate if the Government will ensure that the lending institutions directly under its aegis, namely, the local authorities which are lenders and providers of house purchase loans to a significant body of borrowers, will do so? Such people could not qualify for mortgages on the open, commercial market and are among those dependent on the lowest incomes. Can the Taoiseach indicate to the House that he is taking steps to ensure this is the case?

Lastly, in the context of the ever deteriorating situation in the health services in the north east, is there——

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