Ivana Bacik (Independent)

The Leader will be conscious that a number of Members raised the issue of those unfortunate people queuing for passports outside the Passport Office. The Labour Party and others had called for the suspension of the CPSU action to facilitate members of the public who were not in any way responsible for the crisis in the public finances and to ensure they would not be disadvantaged in this way. I am disturbed that they are still being disadvantaged. It is important we see an end to that particular industrial action and an acceptance of the measures announced in Croke Park, particularly for the low paid public sector workers with whom we all sympathise.

I also call for a debate on jobs in the construction sector and construction-related jobs. Alarming news of the collapse of the very prestigious architects firm, Murray Ó Laoire, last week shows the immense knock-on effects of that loss not only in terms of jobs directly in the construction sector but related jobs and jobs with an international dimension because that firm had an international reach. It is disturbing that the explanation given by the firm for it going into liquidation was that it was not being paid by creditors. The decision today to put billions of euro into the banks has created a sense of alarm. Could the banks not have tided over firms such as Murray Ó Laoire with a view to preserving jobs, particularly given that they are about to become State-owned? Notwithstanding the fact that Senators will debate the issue of banking tomorrow, the House needs to have a debate on whether the billions of euro we are pouring into the banks will free up credit for ordinary firms and small and large businesses, including architects' firms which desperately need to stay afloat.