Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I support the call for a debate on banking governance. It is a matter that must remain a top priority for all Members of the Oireachtas into the future and we must learn from the mistakes that were made in the past.

However, I draw the Leader's attention to the issue of redundancy. While it is important we keep an eye on the banking reports and banking governance, politics and everything else is diverting our attention from the fact that many people are being made redundant each day. I was in Strasbourg this week where I attended the plenary session with a delegation of workers from Waterford Crystal. It was good to hear that they will get €2.9 million in support from the European Globalisation Fund. That will be increased by another €1 million from the Exchequer.

While I was in Strasbourg I noticed the applications from other states. One that caught my interest was an application from Valencia in Spain. It was a combined application from small door makers that had been made by the Spanish Government. It succeeded. There is a need to debate how we can explore all avenues of assistance for redundant workers. There is no reason that this should not apply to construction workers, Quinn Group workers in the North, the workers from Teva Pharmaceuticals and Waterford Crystal and the Pfizer workers in Cork. Resources should be put into the relevant Department to ensure strong applications are made on their behalf. Thousands of redundant workers are entitled to access this fund but unless the Government makes that application on their behalf they will not be listened to in Europe.

I appeal for a full debate on this matter as it is very important. Our eye is off the ball in many areas but we must assist redundant workers in whatever way possible and this is one way to do so. I ask the Leader to make provision for that debate at an early date.