Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

The lesson from the FÁS debacle is a lesson for the Government. It is the issue of value for money. Although he reversed his opinion yesterday, the Taoiseach, in standing by the expenditure initially, shows he has not appreciated the issue of value for money. The lesson for him and the Government is to stop paying lip service to the issue. They must stop commissioning new reports and establishing new committees and do something about ensuring value for money in public expenditure.

With regard to the debate on the economy, one of the most important issues is whether the Government will intervene in the recapitalisation of the Irish banks. This is a legitimate issue for debate in this House and the Oireachtas in general. The Minister should come to the House and give his views on the issue because we do not want a situation where we are bounced into new emergency legislation and crisis measures without any dialogue, debate or scrutiny of the thinking behind such measures.

Currently, private equity funds are circling the banks, but these do not appear to have credibility as a solution. The Minister will have to face the challenge of State intervention. David McWilliams has suggested that if it must come to it, the nationalisation of the banks would be better than the types of schemes being mooted over recent days. I ask the Leader to encourage and invite the Minister to the House to discuss the issue. We are aware that with regard to discussions and considerations of the best option for the Government, economy and country, it is the Cabinet that must decide such issues. However, I believe the Minister will come back to this House with new legislation. Therefore, it is a legitimate issue for debate and I ask the Leader to arrange for the Minister to come in to address it.