Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

Will the Leader arrange for a debate on aviation policy? This week, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, hinted that the separation of Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports might not proceed. I have raised this issue in a debate on the Adjournment and through requests to the Leader, but the Minister for Transport has not yet come to the House. It is important that we have this debate.

I join other speakers in seeking a debate on the economy. Unemployment is increasing, the car industry is in trouble, the number of mortgages issued has decreased by 30,000 this year and the banks are perilously close to going bust. The response of the Government is a lack of activity. It is six weeks or more since the banking legislation was before this House but nothing has happened with capitalisation since. We have been misled by some in the banking profession. They have told us untruths and misled small and medium sized enterprises which are trying to stay in business. These enterprises are now being forced into letting their staff go and some are closing owing to liquidity problems and not having access to money. It is time to tell the banking people: "It is time to go; you are the weakest link." Equally, it is time the Leader told the Minister for Finance it is time to go. Let us call a general election and let the people decide. It is time for change and that time is now.