Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I second the amendment proposed by Senator Fitzgerald calling for a debate on this most disturbing report, which is of deep concern to all of us. In 2010, with all the revelations and reports we have had, we are still seeing such immense failings in our child protection system.

I also seek a debate on banking on a day when the front page of the Irish Independent states AIB will impose a 0.5% hike in mortgage rates, causing immense hardship to many consumers. The reason for this increase is that the bank has posted enormous losses of €2.3 billion for 2009. We know why this is so, the bank over-lent and gambled on risky developments. It holds assets of €21 billion linked to property and construction and is facing 1,000 job losses. The most bitter pill for the taxpayer to swallow is that the Department of Finance has stated the Minister for Finance cannot do anything about the mortgage rate hikes even though we know there will be a race to the top as other lenders raise mortgage rates. We need a debate on this. We have put billions of euro into these banks yet the Department says the Minister cannot stop them raising their interest rates, nor can he get the banks to increase credit and lend to small businesses in need of credit. We need an urgent debate on this. It is a very strong argument for the Labour Party's policy of nationalisation of the banks. It is most disheartening to see the Green Party fiddling while the economy crashes and burns and to see the parliamentary party of the Green Party playing pass the parcel with ministerial offices and the spoils of office.