Fiona O'Malley (Progressive Democrats)

Senators mentioned the national asset management agency, NAMA, and its bail out of the banks, but such comments are doing the country no good in terms of international finance. This morning, I took the opportunity to read the international financial newspapers, the Financial Times in particular. People will be surprised to learn that RTE's economics correspondent, a man who is known to be deeply gloomy, described the budget as a brave and gutsy move by the Government. It is referred to in this manner in an editorial in today's Financial Times. This is what we must remember. The international press is applauding the Minister for being the first to frame a solution to the banking crisis.