Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)

We need to have a serious debate in this House on that issue because if we nationalise the two major Irish banks, more taxpayers' money will have to be spent and that will continue the exposure of the taxpayer to billions of euro in the coming years. The outcome of that decision necessitates a serious debate involving questions and answers with the Minister for Finance. The establishment of the agency will double the national debt overnight yet we are unsure of the final endpoint in that regard.

Will the Leader invite the Green Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, to the House to explain how he managed to overspend €72 million to buy carbon credits that are no longer necessary, according to him, because of the collapse in the Irish economy? We are constantly talking about reform and watching how money is spent. Some €10 million was saved by taking medical cards from everybody over the age of 70 and there have been huge reductions in special needs classes, yet the Minister is spending €72 million on carbon credits that are unnecessary. I would like an explanation as to why his running of the Department has led to such a mistake.