Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I refer to what is being accommodated by the extension of time for the Finance Bill 2010. The Sinn Féin party will not agree to the Order of Business offered by the Government today unless we get an indication or commitment that there will be an opportunity to properly address the disgraceful decision of the Bank of Scotland (Ireland) in respect of the Halifax network of branches and their presence throughout the economy. Some 750 workers are being thrown on the dole queue, something about which the Government has known and that had been signalled for upwards of 12 months. We seek an opportunity to have the matter substantively addressed in this Chamber.

The Ministers for Finance and Enterprise, Trade and Employment should come in and give us an account of their stewardship, what efforts, engagement and action they propose - even in a last ditch effort - to try to stymy the full effects of this very serious announcement. Will this be committed to here this week? This is what we are calling for. It is a matter of such importance. We were told there would be a new, almost social, conscience on the part of financial institutions in the advent of the bank rescue scheme and NAMA, albeit this particular institution is not covered by either of these. Nevertheless, we cannot endure a situation where 750 workers will be just dumped on the pavement as a result of a decision taken outside this jurisdiction and imposed here. There are political aspects of this matter which must be engaged directly with the British Government and Exchequer and the whole situation in respect of Bank of Scotland (Ireland) and the Halifax presence here over several years. I am sure it would be a very useful engagement with the Minister.

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