Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Again, I make the point that the cost to our financial system of not dealing with this issue is far greater. To suggest we are not making arrangements to ensure that the interests of the taxpayer are being protected in this matter is a gross distortion of the situation. Second, regarding the actual arrangements, it is anticipated that Committee Stage will be taken in the weeks beginning 21 and 27 October, pending the agreement I arranged with the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and the Public Service. It will be a matter for that committee to order its business and decide how to accommodate the point made yesterday, namely, that where specific stages are relevant and possible amendments on specific sections that would be of particular importance, there would be a fair bit of debate. As I understand it, that is what is envisaged and it is the way to proceed.

We have to get on with this legislation. It is difficult and complex and provides a heavy workload for everybody but it must be proceeded with. We will do that and accommodate everything in the very best way we can in the interests of trying to debate those sections of the Bill that are of major concern to people and seeing that amendments are put forward and debated. We do not have unlimited time because of the urgency of the situation.

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