Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has asked six questions. I will advise him in respect of the statutory instrument. The heads were cleared with regard to the technological universities Bill a number of weeks ago by the Government. Some progress has been made in respect of Waterford and Carlow. The Deputy is well aware of some of the issues which arose. I do not accept the area is being neglected. It is the focus of much attention from the Government and IDA Ireland. I hope the institutions concerned will continue to discuss how best they can meet the strict criteria set down here. The Deputy rightly pointed out Dublin Grangegorman, Cork, Kerry and, to a lesser extent, the west and north west are making some progress.

With regard to the issue in respect of unsecured loans and the sale of mortgages, the latest entry is by PTSB. The previous two which bought mortgage loans like this were both willing to voluntarily comply with the Central Bank code of conduct. We hope this will apply in this case also. The Bill was not due to be published until next year but the Minister for Finance hopes to have it enacted before the end of this year. A deal of work has been done with the Office of the Attorney General and the Central Bank.

The heads of the credit guarantee (amendment) Bill were cleared on 17 June. It will make a number of small amendments to make the scheme more feasible and attractive. I point out the extent of non-mainline bank finances available now, through the involvement of the Silicon Valley Bank from California, the Chinese Investment Corporation, the KfW state bank from Germany and a number of other commercial entities which have acquired banking licences for the provision of credit and access to credit for individual customers.

The industrial relations (amendment) Bill will be later in the year. I do not have a date for the personal injuries assessment board (amendment) Bill but I will advise Deputy Martin of the progress made there.

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