Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

Will the Leader arrange a pre-budget debate on social welfare and child benefit in particular? Does the Leader agree with the leader of Fine Gael that the Minister for Social and Family Affairs should not touch child benefit? A cut in child benefit is an attack on the women and children of this country. Does the Leader support that?

I also seek a debate on yesterday's pledge by the Irish Banking Federation regarding the protection of home owners. It appears that there is confusion about this matter. The free legal advice centres, FLAC, have revealed that many sub-prime lenders are not signed up to this pledge. As Senator Fitzgerald said, NAMA provides for protection of bondholders, but when will we protect the most vulnerable home owners who did not create the current catastrophe? When will we go after the people who caused this trouble?

I disagree with Senator Coghlan in that the banking fraternity and those who made the decisions were not acting in the interests of the ordinary person. They acted out of greed for profits and had no consideration for people. It can be Christian democracy or social democracy, but it is called greed.

If there is a need for a legislative approach, the Minister for Finance should set it out in this House. We have a bailout of the bankers through NAMA, but the Minister refused to accept a Fine Gael amendment to protect home owners. If we are serous about getting credit flowing and protecting small and medium enterprises and home owners, we need a meaningful legislative approach. Otherwise, we are heading towards Armageddon part two.