Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I understand the report into the activities of the Dublin diocese will be published this afternoon. Dr. Diarmuid Martin has said this report will shock everybody. It will be launched by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Minister of State with responsibility for children. Will the Tánaiste make arrangements at a suitable time in order that the House will have an opportunity to discuss the report? Will she ensure, together with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, that on this occasion victims of abuse will not be locked out of the proceedings as they were on the last occasion when the Ryan report was published and that victims will be treated with absolute respect if they turn up later? I assume that will be the case and I would like the Tánaiste to confirm that.

The Taoiseach has admitted the allocation of €10 million in respect of immediate assistance for humanitarian and farming causes is not sufficient. I understand the Taoiseach and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government are visiting areas again today that are severely affected by flooding. The reports coming in are shocking in terms of the destruction of dwelling houses and loss of income in respect of all farming activity. Is the Cabinet emergency committee examining the question of a more accurate assessment of what is needed as a response from Government? When will we know that?

The discussion on the National Asset Management Agency Bill in the House lasted 86 hours and we were told on umpteen occasions by the members of the Government that the impact of NAMA would be to free up credit and have credit flow at competitive rates for business. The chief executive officer of Allied Irish Banks yesterday confirmed to Deputy Richard Bruton that when the NAMA bonds are received by his bank, the money will not be allowed to flow for credit. The Minister for Finance who rightly said we are not deeply embedded in the banking sector, as we own 26% of AIB, also said he is entitled under the law to force banks to allow credit to flow at competitive rates. In view of the statements by bank representatives to an Oireachtas committee yesterday, what does the Government propose to do under the legislation we passed during the debate on which the Minister for Finance told the House repeatedly that when it was passed more credit would flow at cheaper rates? What is happening? I met people yesterday who went to their bank managers with a view to putting up their own money in seeking loans to develop businesses and they were told bluntly by them that they would not even lodge the application for them. This is scandalous.

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