Ivor Callely (Independent)

I support much of what Senator Buttimer stated about the public wanting hope and confidence, particularly on job creation. It is important that those in this House and in the other House, and in other areas of knowledge, should have that information available to them. I refer, for example, to the State agencies' plans, Vision 2020 and all the other measures on job creation.

It brings me to the point on continuing the debate on banking and related matters, which was also mentioned today and which I would also welcome. I raised with the Leader previously if we could have some type of structure put on debates. There is considerable importance in putting such a structure on debates, maybe to go through each Department and to take issues such as those mentioned, whether it be banking and related matters or job creation, so we would know the topic and get appropriate briefing documents. This is not the first time I have asked for this and I hope we can make some progress.

On banking, it would be remiss of me not to mention today that we should also acknowledge that some of our financial institutions such as the NTMA are doing extraordinarily good work, albeit in difficult circumstances. This week alone, that agency had another fantastic €1.5 billion of bond sales, albeit with a slightly different yield. It is a tremendous achievement and congratulations should go to the NTMA.

I ask the Leader to obtain a briefing on family law with a particular interest in property and assets. Can the Leader indicate what, if any, legislative provisions are in place or are being considered to separate one's individual property and assets from any matrimonial benefit of property and assets? I look forward to receiving that.