Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

Yesterday I supported the call for recapitalisation of the banks but that must only happen if it will lead to additional lending to provide the necessary cashflow for all the businesses in serious trouble. I referred yesterday to business owners in Galway who are wondering whether they will make it to Christmas. Strict terms and conditions must be laid down for recapitalisation, otherwise it will not address the purpose for which it is needed.

I strongly support the call for a debate on female genital mutilation. I was appalled by the decision of the High Court yesterday but I was delighted by the intervention of the European Court of Human Rights. This woman lost a daughter in 1994 to this awful practice. Many of us have young daughters. Can we imagine that we would in any way condone or support this practice, which is absolutely outrageous?

Today I will publish the results of a survey of 115 public representatives on education. I conducted the survey prior to the budget and the main concerns of public representatives, as pointed out to them by parents and teachers——