Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I join other Members in offering my sympathies to the families of the six people who lost their lives in road accidents yesterday. Four of the victims were young women in their 20s who died in an accident on the N17 in County Galway. The reduction in road deaths was acknowledged in the House yesterday but this accident is a tragic reminder that we must continue to focus on the condition of our roads and road safety in general. I support Senator Buttimer's call regarding the resourcing of our national, regional and secondary roads and ask for a debate on this issue.

I share other speakers' concerns regarding developments at Allied Irish Banks in recent days. The appointment of senior managers from within the organisation, despite the concerns and wishes expressed by the Minister for Finance, smacks of arrogance. Today we are informed of the sudden increase in the bank's bad debts from a previous estimate of €4.3 billion to €5.3 billion. Where does this leave the Government's projections in respect of the National Asset Management Agency? It is strange that these appointments and announcements, which affect our economic reputation both at home and abroad, are made the week after the NAMA legislation was passed by the Oireachtas. The Government and the banks must be up-front with the public because the decisions they are making will have a knock-on effect on everybody's economic prospects.