Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

It would be very much in the social and economic interests of the State that we had a proper debate on this legislation. Regarding the amendment, when one defines the economic and social development of the State, we must debate issues such as the windfall tax, the bank levy - which the Minister is calling a surcharge - and the guidelines on lending put forward by the Minister. This legislation will go through without having been properly debated in the House. It was my understanding that the Minister gave a commitment that there would be a proper debate. Instead, he is shirking his responsibility. He could extend the time allocated to have a proper debate on NAMA.

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