Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

While I thank the Minister for briefing us, the question is very clear, will we have an evaluation of this project? This is on the scale of Napoleon's invasion of Russia. We are undertaking huge risks on the part of the taxpayer in saying the taxpayer will shoulder up to €90 billion in impaired loans. Does the Minister think it is acceptable that all that has been published is a ten-page document summarising a report that has not been seen? Is that enough for the Oireachtas to have confidence in the course the Government is taking? Why should the Oireachtas participate solely in processes designed to implement this when it is clear there is major scepticism on whether this is the correct way to go, on whether it will get credit moving quickly and on whether it will prove one of the most costly ways of dealing with the problem, and the taxpayer shoulder everything? Does the Minister agree we have time to have a proper evaluation of this? Let us get all the opinions on the table and make our decisions based on the best possible information, not simply on the basis of just one approach to this that has been pioneered by one group.

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