Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

I wish to ask two questions on the Order of Business. First, I seek clarification from the Taoiseach on the issue of the National Asset Management Agency. There have been newspaper reports that although this is a matter of priority, it is unlikely that Members will see the legislation until October. However, the Taoiseach indicated recently that an interim board would be appointed fairly quickly. Members need to know under what legal authority it will be working and what role the Dáil will play in establishing and limiting that legal authority to protect taxpayers.

The second question pertains to legislation to implement decisions that were announced in the budget relating to Members' pay and conditions. These announcements have created enormous confusion in people's minds as to what exactly the Government intends and how it expects to implement them. I ask the Taoiseach to set out for the House the exact position in respect of the legislation that will be implemented. It is not acceptable for Ministers, who earn twice the pay of most Deputies, to lecture people about what they should and should not do when the Government has the legal authority to implement the changes it states are desirable. Clarification is required in this regard and it is only fair to everyone to have certainty as to the way in which we will proceed. While the House will support reasonable measures introduced by the Government, certainty is required.

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