John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I share Senator Brady's concern about valuations. It is time to have a debate about how the public service reacts to various situations. The fact is a valuation made in 2005 affects a business in 2009 when the world economy has changed significantly and the retail and service sectors here are having an extremely difficult time. We need to make it clear to the public service that we would like a fast-track reaction in order that businesses can be saved and jobs will not be lost. The State ends up paying more than it loses in making sure business does not suffer excessive cost.

I also share the views of those who would like to have a debate about how the public regards politicians. Some members of the Opposition have misrepresented the situation in which the Government has found itself and its reasons for taking action. The Opposition has often suggested the banks were bailed out to save the developers but nothing could be further from the truth.