Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

Will the Minister explain the reason behind his thinking when it comes to individual financial institutions covered under the scheme for presenting them with a panel from whom they can choose one or two individuals? Will the Minister agree it would be more appropriate in respect of a particular institution that he nominate the individual or individuals he deems appropriate? Did the Minister give any consideration, when it came to composing a panel of appropriate individuals, to the idea that those individuals to be appointed to the panel should be approved by the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service so there is some form of transparency?

To return to Deputy Charles Flanagan's question, will the Minister accept that the general public is under the belief that these appointees will act in the public interest? As this is not compatible with company law, next week this House should introduce an amendment to the Companies Acts as part of the emergency provisions necessary to ensure they can lawfully so act.

With regard to paragraph 45, the Minister has already made reference to what he sees as the issues relating to corporate social responsibility. Will the Minister explain why this does not apparently involve any corporate responsibility imposed on banks to give leeway to those who hold residential mortgages and are under pressure because of their loss of employment? Does the corporate social responsibility clause envisage ensuring the banks can give some leeway to individuals to roll over interest payments for a period of time in the same manner as allowed to major developers?

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