Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I do not want to fall into the annual practice of saying: "Do not go on holidays for a certain period." The proposal from the Government is that the Dáil will return at the end of January. The most important concerns in the country at present are protecting jobs and creating and sustaining employment. We need to consider the statements by the Government on the recapitalisation of the banks and its economic plan. I do not expect the Taoiseach to make time for these matters today but I suggest that the House should sit either this Friday or next Tuesday to deal with them.

A sizeable chunk of the money invested by taxpayers in the National Pensions Reserve Fund will be made available to the banking system. I am not sure whether it is in the Taoiseach's head to come back with a plan and seek legal authority from the Dáil or if he would prefer to put through legislation and then apply conditions when the Government and the banks are in agreement on the system of recapitalisation to be implemented. While I do not wish to object to the Order of Business, I would like the Taoiseach to indicate whether we can have a substantive discussion on this matter on Friday or next Tuesday.

It is wrong to adjourn the House on Thursday and not return until the closing days of January. In the meantime, the Government will have made its decision after consulting the banks on how it should proceed with recapitalisation. The matter is very serious and real concerns are being expressed by employers and employees. Local economies throughout the country have been affected. It would be wrong of Dáil Éireann to retire for six weeks rather than deal with a matter as consequential as this. I make these observations in respect of the first proposal put by the Ceann Comhairle and ask the Taoiseach to respond.

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