Derek McDowell (Labour)

I join Senator O'Toole in welcoming the decision by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on the non-national parents of Irish-born children who are seeking asylum in this country. The Minister was in the House last week and I noted that he is one of those people who likes to play good cop and bad cop at the same time. Even when he is announcing something generous, he likes to do it in a fashion that sounds harsh. However, it appears that, in this instance, he has taken the more compassionate route. It is appropriate that we should salute and welcome his decision.

We have heard reports today on the purchase of the Irish assets of National Australia Bank by Danske Bank. It is probably fair to say that National Irish Bank has had a very chequered history in Ireland. When it first arrived, it was very much welcomed and seemed to bring a competitive edge to the retail market that had not existed previously. We later discovered that this had come about, at least in part, through means that were at least questionable if not unethical or illegal. In fairness to the bank, it has cleaned up its act. We welcome Danske Bank into the Irish banking sector. We have received a timely reminder that small businesses find it very difficult to obtain loans at decent or reasonable interest rates. I hope the emergence into the Irish banking sector of a retail bank with a commitment to address this issue will make a serious difference in years to come.