Joe O'Toole (Independent)

In the spring of this year, the Independent Senators introduced a motion on credit union savings to achieve a guarantee of savings protection and a system that would be independent of all representative bodies and others. There was a long debate in the House and at its conclusion the Government Members did not disagree with my proposal that savings in credit unions should have exactly the same level of protection and guarantee as those in a bank. They said Government representatives were in talks with the Irish League of Credit Unions in conjunction with the Financial Regulator and they intended to conclude them by 31 March, after which they would move on the issues. The Government has not been as good as its word on this issue and we therefore need to address it. I have a duty to introduce my Bill. I do not mind if the Financial Regulator or Minister for Finance say clearly they disagree with what I propose but I know my proposal is correct. I am getting telephone calls from all sorts of people who are afraid to speak out and do not want to rock the boat. I am afraid we will see a run on credit unions such as we saw in respect of Northern Rock. If there is a lack of confidence, this is what will happen. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Finance to address the issue?

I have been trying for some time to figure out what has happened to mutton. I would like the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to answer this for us. It represents a traditional flavour of Ireland and was the basic ingredient for Irish stew. Senators will find this very entertaining but that is not my point. At a time when slow cooking is a fast-expanding area of cuisine, it is time that mutton be made available again in Ireland. This would provide a new outlet and market for the Irish farmer. Mutton is derived from lambs that are approximately one and a half to two years old and which are finished on grass. This is exactly what the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has been advocating and it represents a significant issue.

Some of the farmers on the Agriculture Panel are smiling but they will note I have raised this issue in the House on a previous occasion. Recently in the United Kingdom mutton has had a champion, namely, the Prince of Wales, who has accepted the job of patron of the mutton renaissance campaign.