Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

On amendment No. 17, the Minister is very vulnerable. He has not done his homework and that has been shown quite clearly. He said he has not received any correspondence indicating there is a problem but neither has he received any correspondence indicating that there is no problem and that this issue has been carefully examined. The danger is that when the Bill is passed, a problem might arise subsequently. If I had documentation from the main banks involved or the people who are owed money stating that they are happy that the company is being broken into three separate companies and that it will not affect the term conditions, either in regard to repayments or the period of repayments, I would have no qualms about this aspect but we do not have that information. In fact, neither has the Minister if we listen to what he is saying. He is forcing all of us to take a leap into the dark and we all hope that nothing will happen. It is possible nothing will happen in that area but we do not know that for certain. I find it amazing that the Minister would not have contacted the main people involved to get a reassurance from them on this issue and that he is taking this approach. We will press the amendment for that reason.