Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

As the Ceann Comhairle suggested, the issue the Deputy raises can be raised in the debate today and tomorrow. I am sure the Minister for Finance will be pleased to answer any questions Deputies may have on monetary policy and the impact exchange rate movements are having on Irish competitiveness during the question and answer session. This issue is of particular importance for Ireland given that we, unlike many other countries in the euro area, share a border with a jurisdiction which has a strong, world recognised currency, namely, sterling.

On sub-prime lending, the Financial Regulator is in the process of preparing a statutory code of practice.

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