Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

We want to be provided with the information that is required to allow us to participate, in a meaningful way, in the debate on decisions that will affect our children's lives and the future of this country and its economy. As Deputy Bruton made clear in the Dáil yesterday, the Government has not supplied the information we require in respect of budgetary matters. It is unacceptable to discuss national government or national partnership in a context where information is not being shared within the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Why is the Government behaving so deferentially towards the banks? Today's editorial in The Irish Times states the Government's attitude to the banks is quite extraordinary, particularly in light of the fact that taxpayers' money has been used to bail out the banks, which made a number of remarkably bad decisions that have led to the economy being placed in such an uncommonly dangerous and serious position. Why is so much deference being shown to the banks? During the debate on the relevant legislation in this House and in the Lower House Fine Gael tabled amendments that would have prevented the payment of certain bonuses. It appears the legislation introduced by the Government was not sufficiently strong. Why was that the case and why did the Minister refuse to accept the amendments put forward by my party? The Government had no difficulty introducing legislation containing a retrospective clause designed to take money from old age pensioners. Why can this not be done in respect of bonuses and pension schemes which clearly run contrary to the national interest at this point?

I am concerned with regard to appointments to State boards. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, made such an appointment recently and the gentleman in question has resigned on foot of certain taxation issues. We must put in place a new system in respect of appointments to State boards. It is important, in the national interest, that such appointments should be scrutinised by the Oireachtas, either by a particular committee or, as proposed by my party, by the Seanad. This House would be the ideal forum in which to scrutinise these appointments. The time has come for cronyism to end. It is now time that such appointments be made in the public interest. One way to ensure that the latter would be for the Seanad or an appropriate committee of the Houses to hold hearings.