Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I support the proposed amendment to the Order of Business calling for a debate on job creation because of the devastatingly increasing pressure on business. There are some horror stories throughout the land. Despite the moneys that were allegedly earmarked within the banking system to assist small and enterprising businesses, this is clearly not available. Every day enterprising business people are being refused by our banks, which prompts the question as to when we will have the full recapitalisation. More importantly and allied to this - the Leader has a clear duty to arrange a debate in very early course - is that statement regarding the inefficiency and lack of professionalism of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment which, if true, is a damning indictment of the Department. We in this House, and presumably those in the other House, need this answered immediately. As soon as the Tánaiste returns from the trade mission to the Far East, the Leader should arrange for her to come to the House to deal with that entire subject matter. In dealing with the pressure on business and the lack of finance available, when will the Government inform us of the proposed timeline for the creation of NAMA? With regard to the €90 billion mentioned, when will we know the true figure? When will we be made aware of the bad loan losses? We will not make any recovery until this situation is sorted out but, sadly, it seems the Government is dragging its feet on this major matter. I ask the Leader to arrange for a debate on the issue and to respond on this.