Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the many members of credit unions who are in the Gallery. They include management, staff and directors. I thank all of those who contributed to the debate and I acknowledge those who, although in the minority, have committed to support the motion and have spoken in favour of it. On proposing the motion, my colleague, Deputy Michael McGrath, elaborated on its contents. He highlighted the implications if the measures contained in the CP88 document are signed by the Minister, Deputy Noonan. Yesterday evening, before the debate started, the Minister, Deputy Noonan, left the Chamber. He is not in the Chamber this evening nor are many of his colleagues. I ask him to inform us on his absence and give us a good reason as to why it is the case. Deputy Rabbitte seemed to intimate this area is solely the responsibility of the Minister of State, Deputy Harris, but I doubt this is the case.

I note what the Minister of State stated yesterday. He and the Minister of State, Deputy McHugh, who is present, spoke on behalf of the Government and the Deputies who are party to the Government. Deputy Troy and others alluded to the fact that they spoke about the perceived implications of the measures contained in the recommendations in CP88, if signed by the Minister, Deputy Noonan.

See this speech in context