Alan Kelly (Labour)

The news about Anglo Irish Bank is not only deeply disturbing but is unbelievable. People have not questioned the role of Irish Life & Permanent. Why did it behave in this manner? We have heard the phrase "cosy arrangements" before but if there was ever an example of it, this is it. We know there will be investigations into this matter. However, the Labour Party has advocated that a High Court inspector be appointed to investigate all this. We have enough evidence to say this is fully justified.

We debated the credit institutions financial support scheme while this was going on. The following morning the chief executive of Anglo Irish Bank went on radio to say the bank was okay and that its loans versus assets ratio was fine. The reality was the books were being cooked. It is as simple as that. Irish Life & Permanent facilitated Anglo Irish Bank to ensure its books looked a certain way on the day its profits were announced.

If an investigation is not initiated which has the full confidence of the people and is backed up by the Judiciary, how can people stand behind the decisions the Government is taking, such as cutting the cervical cancer vaccination programme for young girls and cutting teacher numbers?

There was a recent "Prime Time" report into the reconfiguration of hospitals in the mid-west and we have been talking about pay, what people are paid and the sacrifices we are all being asked to make. This report, which demonstrated that the Government would centralise all services, is being debated in the other House today, which I welcome. The motion could be stronger, but I support it. A number of consultants wearing gowns spoke on that programme in a very condescending way, yet the new pay system for these consultants will be announced later this month and many of them will receive large amounts in back pay.

I would like the Leader to answer my questions because they have not been answered on previous occasions. How much will be paid to these consultants in back pay dating back to last June? Is it justifiable? What is the range of pay? Teachers, gardaí, nurses etc. are making sacrifices, yet these people are on €240,000 to €260,000 and are now getting back pay. Is that equitable? I do not believe it is.