Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

I support my colleague's call for a debate on A Vision for Change and congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, on the good work he is doing. Equally, while there is a great deal of talk about the closure of old draconian facilities, I make the point that there is a need for long-stay care for psychiatric patients, young and old. We should not lose sight of that. Prior to the closure of any facility, we should ensure there is a replacement available with the required number of beds for appropriate long-stay psychiatric care.

I also support the calls for a debate on banking and the current financial difficulties the country faces. I have asked for this over a considerable period of time, specifically a structured debate and agreement among all party leaders in the Seanad in arranging it. While we undoubtedly have a banking crisis along with a difficult financial situation, I differ with those who seem to be looking at a funnel that is only half empty. I congratulate the National Treasury Management Agency on the good work it has done. We have had an over-subscription to Government bonds. There has been a run on Irish bonds because Ireland is seen to be good and strong and to have taken the necessary corrective action. There is a need, however, to get credit flowing for the ordinary individual, the consumer and, most importantly, for small and medium enterprises. We need to have a debate on this.

I am very concerned, as I have mentioned previously, at the manner in which customers are being contacted by banks to inform them that some of their debts have been passed over to debt collection agencies which are unregulated.