Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)

I thank the Minister for the Trojan effort he has made over the past six months on behalf of the public at a difficult time historically and it would be a mean person who would not acknowledge his work and the personal effort he is putting in, which we all appreciate. I am not purposely critical of anything when people are trying to do their best but I have grave concerns because the juncture we have reached is not new. We were here many years ago and I do not believe it is right or proper that the Irish people are being asked again to bale out not once but twice a group which, over a long period of time, acted recklessly. It is awful to think that people will be burdened for many years with the cost of that reckless trading on their shoulders. That comes back to Government and the regulator at the time. What was going on that allowed this to happen and get us into this position? It is frightening when one thinks back upon it.

We cannot look backwards, however. We must look forward and see how we will deal with the situation and one of the questions we must ask ourselves is whether a situation like this could occur again in the future. Everything that is humanly possible to achieve to ensure it will never happen again must be done. I would rely on the Minister to ensure that systems will be put in place and that this type of situation can never again happen.

In terms of my difficulties with the Bill, businesses and private individuals are finding it difficult to carry on and this further burden upon them could be the straw that will break the camel's back. As a small businessman I am aware that people are finding it difficult to keep businesses in operation and this extra cost which will be imposed upon them will not make their lives any easier.

I take note of what the Taoiseach said with regard to the 1,600 jobs in Cavan and that the Bill is necessary to save those jobs but what about the people who have already lost their jobs and who are trying to insure their houses and their cars? Will this Bill lead to a situation in the future where people may not pay their house insurance? We all know what may be the horrible consequences of that. Will it lead to a situation where people will be travelling on our public roads without adequate cover on their cars? If there are more uninsured people travelling on the roads the State could end up having to pick up the tab for accidents incurred by uninsured drivers.

I took note during the course of the debate of Deputy Sean Fleming's account, which I believe is correct, that the cost of protecting these jobs could be in the order of €500,000 per job. That must be examined.

I am upset that a Bill on an issue of such national importance is being rushed through the Dáil. I would like to have had more debate on it. I am no admirer of inquiries that took place in the past because of the enormous cost to the State but the public were entitled to see some form of inexpensive inquiry take place into what went on in Quinn Insurance over the years before this Bill was brought before the House and them being asked to bale it out once more.

Rushing this Bill through the House is doing a great injustice to the people who elected us here to represent their best interests. Every one of us are elected here to do our best on their behalf. This Bill is not in their best interests. We are doing this in the interest of people who gambled in the past and are letting down the electorate who elected us here.

Ultimately, this measure will cost the Irish public hundreds of millions of euro but the truth, and this is frightening, is that we do not know what will be the final cost. Are we writing a blank cheque for the future? That is another frightening aspect of this measure.

I do not believe we are acting in the best interest of the public. I would have liked more thought given to the Bill. I am not one of those people who criticises everything the Government does. That is not the way I think. I like to be constructive, highlight the best of what a Government is doing, support that, and compliment people on their work but I am against this measure. It is wrong and is a further burden on our society at a time when they will be unable to cope with it. It will have detrimental consequences for many families and businesses which are barely staying afloat, and I know the Minister is acutely aware of that. He is dealing with it in his own constituency every day of the week and is acutely aware of the problems business people are having, which are enormous. They are trying to keep the doors open and it is putting them to the pin of their collar.

We are where we are, however. This Bill will be passed, although not with my support, but I will be supportive in the future of measures to which I believe there are no other alternatives. Despite the fact that I am critical of this measure I sincerely wish the Minister well in his further endeavours because we all know he is doing his level best at all times.

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