Alex White (Labour)

I join others who have expressed their sympathy on the recent very sad death of Gerry Ryan. As somebody who spent some years working in the same building as him, I feel a really profound sense of sadness and loss at his passing. When we talk about people being frank and perhaps talking about things they would find difficult to deal with, Gay Byrne cracked the glass but it can truly be said that Gerry Ryan shattered the glass in that respect. He made an immense contribution to broadcasting and it is a very sad day to realise he has left us.

I support Senator Fitzgerald's call for a debate on the recent decision on Greece. It would be difficult to imagine that there are many other countries in the European Union not debating this issue today. I presume the governments of those countries in the eurozone that have been called upon to make a contribution to this so-called bailout would go back quickly to their parliaments to explain what has happened, give the details, set out the basis for the particular figures involved in the respective contributions, explain the pace and timescale involved and discuss the exposure of banks in Ireland and elsewhere to what has occurred in Greece. While I know the Minister for Finance briefed the Cabinet on the issue, he should also brief the Oireachtas. He has an opportunity to attend this and the other House to do so. It is not good enough for us to be told legislation will be brought to the Cabinet next week and will get to the Oireachtas some time thereafter. We are talking about an exposure of up to or even in excess of €1.3 billion.

Once again, this is an example of where more information and detail must be given for debate in the House. Last week, the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Martin Mansergh, attended a debate in this House in which he said many things. One of the most extraordinary things he said, which still echoes in my mind today concerned banking, when he congratulated "the honest and full disclosure by the Government and its agencies of the appalling mess within our banks". I wonder whether I am still living on the same planet as members of the Government who seem to want to persuade us it has made a full and honest disclosure. What disclosure? We should start with the Greek situation and I support the call for a debate this afternoon on the matter.