Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

When I gave the Minister a chance, I expected him to have something positive to say about this because this is a matter of trust, and trust is very important in the times in which we are living. These people entered into agreements with their banks and I cannot understand how we miscalculated this, but we did. People are not getting back the money to pay their banks. They cannot get stocking loans, buy fertiliser or take on people they may want to employ. They are short of credit simply because of the Government's actions. It is very unfair. We sit here at this hour of the night trying to work something out and bring this nation forward. To do this to a section of the community is deplorable and we should be made answer for it. I hope we will go through the lobbies and that Deputies who represent rural constituencies will think twice before they give a slap in the face to the many people in our constituencies.

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