Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

On a point of order, this is the recommencement of the bank guarantee of hundreds of billions in the name of Irish taxpayers. I want to know where is the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan. This is as important and significant a decision in this short order as the original bank guarantee. Essentially, this provides for the roll-over of the bank guarantee. While I do not wish to disrespect the Minister of State, he is not the Minister for Finance. Where is the Minister for Finance on this really important order?

It is not good enough that the Minister for Finance sends a Minister of State in here with a document extending the bank guarantee for a further five years with significant financial implications for every taxpayer in Ireland at a time when the country is reeling under economic difficulties. He is probably upstairs addressing the members of Fianna Fáil.

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