Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

Senator Leyden raised a very important issue with regard to fixed as against variable rates of interest. As we know, we had to adopt some rather unorthodox methods in regard to banking in this country, such as guaranteeing deposits and underpinning the banks and recapitalisation and so on. The reason at the moment that variable rates of interest are so low is precisely because of the recession and at the same time the methods we have had to adopt to offset some of that. It is most unfair to those who find themselves paying fixed rates of interest and again having to make a comparison within the recession period that they are not going to benefit from it. We need to consider this as a matter of urgency. It has been raised by other Members of the House on previous days but at the moment it seems most unjust that the people on fixed rates of interest have to pay those rates when a variable rate would be much lower.

I also support Senator Norris's request for a debate on human rights. My fear is that because of the urgent economic issues with which we have to contend currently, human rights issues, particularly those outside the country, will fall between the floorboards. It is important we revisit some of the issues. I have in mind the issues raised by Senator Norris but also the imminent closure of the infamous Guantanamo Bay detention centre. We have discussed this issue in the House on several occasions. We must salute President Obama because one of the very first steps he took as President was to ensure the detention centre would close. That centre has done nothing for the image of America and he is gradually restoring that good image internationally. However, we know there may be requests made to this country to facilitate the closure of that detention centre and we should give such a request very serious consideration. On the one hand we were of the view we had the right to criticise the American Administration because of the torture being carried out in its name but we should also respond positively and show that we have that mature approach to it. I suggest we should debate this issue in the general context of human rights.