Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I have four questions for the Tánaiste. First, can I take it that the legislation giving effect to Ireland's participation in the decision of the European Council last Friday will come before the House next week and that there will be adequate time to debate it and tease out the terms, conditions and implications in respect of repayment for this country? Second, is there confirmation of reported claims that the Government will have to put another €1 billion into Irish Nationwide Building Society? In the context of the European Commission having to give its imprimatur to this and the Anglo Irish Bank deal, can the Tánaiste confirm that more taxpayers' money might be required for Irish Nationwide Building Society and, if so, to what extent? Third, if there is confirmation of the announcement today that 2,000 extra teachers will be employed in September, will the money to pay their salaries be found by savings within the Department of Education and Skills or will it be new money from the Exchequer?

Fourth, the Committee of Public Accounts is in public session as we speak dealing with the issue of Quinn Insurance Limited in so far as the Financial Regulator is concerned and the legislation covering that. While respecting the independence of the Financial Regulator, has the Government had any discussions with regard to removing the situation whereby insurance is being delivered under administration to a situation where it will be freed from administration? Have there been discussions with the Financial Regulator about that? More importantly, is there a response from the Government in respect of the economic consequences for the Quinn Group in the Border region? Is there a plan to meet with the newly appointed UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Paterson, to discuss INTERREG, peace and reconciliation and Ireland funding on a range of cross-Border activities which could have a beneficial impact on the Border economy, North and South? Does the Government intend to announce a plan to deal with that, arising from the consequences of the Quinn Group collapse?

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