Paschal Donohoe (Fine Gael)

I support Senators' calls for a debate on the legislation on the National Asset Management Agency. I note, in particular, Senator Hanafin's remark that there has never been a property crash which did not result in property prices subsequently appreciating by 88%. Is the real Fianna Fáil-Green Party plan for the economy to sort out the banking crisis by making homes unaffordable again for ordinary families and workers? Senator Ross referred to the relevance of the House. If this House is to be relevant, issues of this nature must be discussed and clarified.

Senators referred to the role of the United Kingdom Independence Party, UKIP, in the Lisbon treaty referendum. Given that the free movement of labour and capital are benefits of the European Union, I do not take issue with members of other political parties coming to this country. However, I have a problem when members of a party led by people who do not live here come to Ireland to warn us about immigration. The leaflets distributed by UKIP and the posters the party has erected show a degree of despicable hypocrisy that debars it from making a contribution to the debate.