Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I join in the tributes paid by the Cathaoirleach and Members to the staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas who enabled us to function throughout the night. I refer to both the staff of the Seanad and other members of staff who have been of great assistance to us in completing our business.

I pay tribute to certain officials associated with the preparation of the legislation. I have had the opportunity to work closely with officials in my Department for some months. A number of them are specialists in this field and have provided great assistance. I also pay tribute to the officials of the National Treasury Management Agency, the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland and the Financial Regulator who were of great assistance. I thank the Attorney General and his staff who were very involved in dealing with this matter from before the Cabinet decision to proceed with the introduction of legislation on Tuesday.

I am always struck by the professionalism and integrity of our public service. When initial difficulties arose in the banking sector in early September, it was necessary for my officials and I to take a number of individuals into our confidence in order that we might make a balanced assessment of what was required. I am extremely impressed that those confidences, which are extremely important aspects of attempting to deal with a crisis such as that with which we were faced, were never broken. I pay tribute to the professionalism and high standard of care displayed by public servants in respect of their work.

I thank Members for the considerable attention they paid to the Bill during the night and into this morning. A Sheanadóirí, gabhaim buíochas ó mo chroí libh go léir ag bánú an lae seo.