Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Thank you. We are facing a range of problems in this country. Deputy Catherine Byrne spoke earlier of the loss of three teachers at the Mater Dei national school in Basin Lane, a DEIS school, owing to the €20 billion hole in our public finances.

I say to the Tánaiste, in respect of the legislation dealing with these matters, that the Taoiseach does not have it within his personality to accept any constructive suggestions from the Opposition. I have spoken to the Minister for Finance on a number of occasions and I recognise the gravity of the banking crisis and that our financial independence is at stake. Will the Tánaiste confirm if the Government gave its view on the appointment of the new chief executive of the Bank of Ireland? I do not know the person involved but an internal appointment does not send out the right message.

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