Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Noel Ahern, but regret the Minister with responsibility for the overall workings of the new board is not present as I wanted to highlight some of the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy's statements on the last occasion on dormant accounts as well as some of those of the Minister of State.

I suggest we change the Title of the Bill from the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004 to the Government Slush Fund Bill 2004 or the Post-Election Disaster Fund Bill 2004. Senator Brady admitted the facts behind the lists circulated recently. As stated by him, the grants approved by ADM Limited clearly indicate that every recipient was worthy of the funding provided. The spin put on it by Members on the Government side tonight suggests that something is wrong. It is hinted that something could be wrong with regard to the civil servants.