Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

I join other Members in expressing concern about the state of our financial institutions. We heard today that shares in two major banks, Bank of Ireland and Anglo Irish Bank, are now valued at less than €1. The latter's current valuation of €600 million is only slightly higher than that of Paddy Power. Is it time for the Government to consider taking a stake in some of the banks to ensure that it can direct them to be lenient with home owners who fall behind in their mortgage repayments?

A report in this week's Sunday Observer noted that 39 albinos in Tanzania have been killed in the past year because their corpses are considered to be lucky charms. This is generating much fear among albinos in that country. The organisation representing them is calling for international pressure to be applied to the Tanzanian Government to take action in this regard. Perhaps the Leader will convey our concerns to the excellent ambassador to Tanzania, Ms Anne Barrington, and ask her to do what she can to help the albino community in Tanzania.

I join Senator Kett in expressing concern about the activities of management companies. While "Liveline" comes in for considerable criticism on occasion in this House, yesterday's show did an excellent job of exposing the difficulties experienced by residents in this regard. In some estates in Trim, for example, the lights are being turned off because bills have not been paid. I am aware of estates in Ashbourne where lifts are not being replaced because of financial problems with the management company. It is a year since the then Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brian Lenihan, told this House that we could expect legislation on this matter from his Department and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The reason we have seen nothing since cannot be because we are swamped with legislation in this House. Action must be taken and I ask the Leader to convey our concerns to the Minister.