Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I second Senator Fitzgerald's amendment to the Order of Business. She spoke about three matters, the first of which was the ESRI report. It is frightening to think that 117,000 people will lose their jobs in 2009. She also mentioned the Government plan that was announced yesterday, which this House will not discuss. I have not been able to read all the editorials in all the media this morning, but I understand the plan has been branded as a failure. The Leader, who will have his own comments to make on the matter, will correct me if I am wrong in that regard. We need a debate on the meat of the plan, if there is meat in it. Perhaps it is merely aspirational, as has been suggested. Senator Fitzgerald also referred to the important banking issues that have been brought into sharper focus by the two resignations of the last 24 hours. Like Senator O'Toole, I have always believed in strict compliance with directors' compliance statements and the best corporate governance practices. Things have gone amiss. Perhaps the Financial Regulator spotted certain things a long time ago. He may have complied with his own requirements. There has been a breakdown. I agree with and support Senator Boyle's suggestion that the matter needs to be revisited.