Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, and the officials from the Department of Finance. I commend both the Minister of State and the Minister, Deputy Cowen, on bringing forward this important legislation, which establishes on a statutory basis the centre of expertise of the National Development Finance Agency. This sound proposal represents a continuance of the good governance of which we have seen evidence for some time. I do not wish to praise the Government too much because self-praise is no praise.