Alex White (Labour)

I am glad we will have a debate on the economy next week regardless of what day it will take place or the other events with which it might coincide. It is important we are having that debate next week having called for it so often.

I was struck by the following curious point in regard to the reports today about the banks. A new group of investors has offered the Minister for Finance a solution to the problem. Last week, another group of opportunists, investors with international connections, offered a solution to the Minister for Finance. A picture comes to mind of the Minister for Finance sitting in his office, tapping his fingers on the desk almost waiting for people to come to him with suggestions. Surely, it should be the Minister who makes such bold moves. I do not agree with Senator O'Toole that there is not a requirement for recapitalisation of the banks. Manifestly, there is such a requirement. There needs to be a debate on how it should be brought about and on the controls that should be put in place by Government in that regard.

I would like to hear from the Minister for Finance what the Government proposes to do other than waiting for others to come to them with suggestions. This seems to be the manner in which Government is being run in regard to these serious issues. In that vein, will the Leader arrange for the Taoiseach to come to this House and to be involved in the debate on the current position and where we are going? The Taoiseach, when Minister for Finance, made a reasonably thoughtful speech a year ago at the Indecon conference.