Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

The Minister of State does not have the power under this legislation. The Minister for Finance does. The implication is that this legislation is being rammed through by the Government, yet the Minister for Finance is not here. Deputy Mansergh is a Minister of State at the Department of Finance, but the Minister for Finance has wide-ranging powers under this scheme. He should be in the House. I agree with my colleague, Deputy Burton, that we should ask the House to be suspended pending an appearance by the Minister for Finance. This matter is too significant to do otherwise. AIB's representatives appeared before the Committee on Finance and the Public Service last week stating that they may not use the NAMA bonds to get credit flowing. This is not good enough.

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