Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)

Having examined the legislative programme, I have three questions with regard to proposed legislation. First, I see in the pink pages that we will deal with the finance (No. 2) Bill, which will give effect to the issues in regard to civil partnership but also in regard to the mini-budget that is to be introduced. What is the date of that mini-budget? While I understand it is expected in May or June as there is talk of it being within the first 100 days, can we have some clarity as to when it will be introduced?

Second, nowhere in the legislative programme is there reference to the strategic investment bank, which is a promise made in the programme for Government. Is that binned or is it still on the agenda? When are we likely to see any relevant legislation?

Another omission in the legislative programme is a measure relating to mortgages, specifically, the difficulties being experienced by the many who are already struggling to pay their mortgages. In light of the interest rate hike by the ECB that is expected shortly, are there any proposals by the Government, as promised, to bring forward measures that will reduce the severity of such hikes, as well as in regard to restructuring mortgage debts of customers? We have dealt with the banks in terms of the stress tests. Is there legislation pending in regard to ordinary customers? Will the Taoiseach indicate when there will be a mini-budget, whether the investment bank is binned and whether the Government intends to bring forward proposals in terms of mortgages?

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