Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I wish to raise two matters on the Order of Business. Last week the European Central Bank decided to reduce interest rates by 0.5% throughout the eurozone. Members will be aware that the three biggest banks have failed to pass on this reduction to domestic borrowers and those with mortgages. Will the Leader make time available this week for a debate with the Minister for Finance in order that we might discover what the Government intends to do about this matter? The banks are privately-owned businesses and the amount of direct intervention in which the Government can engage is quite small.

All the moral indignation under the sun will not make much difference to these banks unless a firm decision is taken by the Government to reduce or stop some of the benefits that the State gives them on a constant basis. One of these benefits is the involvement of the State's security forces in the transfer of large sums of money, which is done for the banking groups at a hugely reduced cost. The Government should consider the postponement of any discussions with the Irish Bankers' Federation until the reduction in interest rates has been passed on to customers.

Is the Leader aware that next Tuesday an Oireachtas XV will take on the Police Service of Northern Ireland in a friendly football match? This is a unique sporting occasion. Is she aware that Sinn Féin, the alleged republican party on this island, is intent on staging a protest about the match?