Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I have a number of issues to raise, with the indulgence of the Cathaoirleach, because I did not speak yesterday. The issue of the banks today does not inspire confidence when one considers that many people are losing their jobs and the public service has to deal with an extraordinary pension levy.

Yesterday we discussed the antagonism that can arise between the public sector and the private sector. It has been revealed today that Irish Life & Permanent was involved in skullduggery and it is almost like the carry on of gangsters. Words fail me and I do not understand how we can have faith in it. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan is today finalising ways in which he can recapitalise the banks using the pension fund, which is quite extraordinary.

I was at a meeting recently in a rural area in County Westmeath where farmers spoke about money they were promised and a commitment the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, gave to them on grants for slatted sheds to the tune of €400 million. These people have bridging loans and are under pressure to pay back these godforsaken banks when the Minister has reneged on the whole plan. I call for his resignation for that reason. One cannot promise something in good faith and then not give it.

The farmers must abide by EU regulations in dealing with the nitrates directive. They built their slatted sheds, borrowed from the banks and are now on bridging loans. It is an absolute disgrace. These farmers have lost all of their part-time work in the construction industry and are put to the pin of their collar to pay back loans. The Minister does not need to come into the House. I ask the Leader as a matter of urgency to ask the Minister to pay the money committed to the farmers he has promised to help.

Another issue I want to raise, which was raised by Senator Butler yesterday, concerns grants for the retrofitting of houses for insulation and heating. I had a number of calls on Monday, as I am sure my colleagues had, about how one can apply for this money. There was a great photocall with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, on the six o'clock news on Sunday evening. Lads were running in and out with radiators and it seemed as though it was happening all over the country.