Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

The Ceann Comhairle allowed his colleague from the north east to speak without interruption. I expect the same courtesy to be extended to me.

There is a need for detailed discussion on the change in the employment situation in Bank of Scotland (Ireland). There are proposals in the Finance Bill on NAMA and banking and the Minister for Finance, in his statement, made a number of assertive claims about how he is to sort out the bank situation at a time when there is no credit for small and medium business. Members on all sides of the House are entitled to talk about the needs of their constituents and about small and big businesses in every town and village that need to obtain credit, retain employment and generate new employment, yet the Government wants to shut down debate.

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