Feargal Quinn (Independent)

——especially abroad and particularly following a Supreme Court decision on insider trading made in recent years. Those I meet from outside Ireland cast serious doubts about the credibility of Irish institutions and Irish regulation. It was very interesting to hear Commissioner Charlie McCreevy on Monday morning speaking about the need for regulation at European level because individual countries are not trusted with regard to their regulation. Perhaps this is not something he would have suggested normally.

I wish to make a point with regard to last night's decision to cut funding for special needs children. I am very disappointed. We had a very good debate yesterday with the Minister which those of us fortunate enough to be able to participate found interesting and constructive. We had no idea that during the same afternoon the Minister was issuing a press release telling the world something he did not tell us.