Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I accept that and am glad the Deputy has identified those two issues. They happen to be the two issues under examination in my Department. There was a business conference on these matters that included both Islamic and other business interests. They examined the proposals in the Bill and gave them a broad welcome.

Deputy Burton's idea of convening a conference to examine the Sharia-specific issues that affect individual consumer and commercial transactions is useful and I will take it up. I reassure the House that these matters are under consideration. As my speaking note made clear, there are complexities associated with stamp duty and the allocation of mortgage interest relief if there is an interest-free mortgage. These issues must be worked through and we will do so. The conference is a very good idea in that context.

I cannot speak for the Islamic faith but believe the degree of Koranic literalism is clearly far greater than that of Biblical literalism nowadays. The fact remains that there are substantial numbers of Muslims who have accommodated themselves to existing banking transactions and are content therewith. There are some, however, who have conscientious difficulties and it is important that we accommodate their concerns. The conference is a good idea in that context.

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