Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The statements on the economy tomorrow will be very bland in that we will have a series of statements about the economic position. Yesterday, I listened to an advocate of the Fianna Fáil Party on television saying that this is an opportunity to set out every one's stall, that people will judge and that this is an opportunity for the Government to lead by setting out its stall. Is the Taoiseach prepared, at the very least, to furnish the Opposition spokespersons on finance with the framework document, so that at least there is some semblance of a structure to a debate which will take place before the Government announces any decisions in respect of the negotiations with the social partners?

If the House is to be accountable in any way or is to have any sense of importance, the framework sent to the social partners should be given to the Opposition spokespersons on finance. After all, the House represents all sectors of society. Everyone here is elected and sent here by the electorate from whatever region and for whatever reason.

With regard to the published list of impending legislation, the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security, Deputy Seán Barrett, and the committee produced the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Draft Bill 2009 which could replace the foreshore legislation. This is an issue of serious concern as we are constrained, restricted and held up on a range of fronts. The Bill, published and agreed by the committee on a cross-party basis, does not appear on the list. When is it intended to introduce the Bill in the House? It is important legislation. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, announced that he would introduce it to the House when it was published. I see no evidence of this on the list.

Last week, we dealt with the legislation on the nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank. Prior to the introduction of that Bill, the Minister for Finance in his own generous way said he would be prepared to come before the House and answer questions about the banking situation for as long as necessary. This has not yet been sorted out. We will give the Minister time to do so if he wishes. Is it intended that the Minister will allow for a real question and answer session? Members have a range of issues concerning the banking crisis and constraints on the flow of credit to business on which we would like to hear the Minister pronounce.

See this speech in context