Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

As I stated yesterday when we learned of the meetings that were to take place yesterday and today, whatever is on offer should be accepted because there is a crisis of confidence and the matter is being drawn out unnecessarily. It is this that is causing uncertainty and a continuing lack of investor confidence in and speculation against Ireland and other countries. It is also giving rise to increasing debt tensions in the eurozone. As we know, the problem is essentially a banking one, as the European Central Bank is no longer prepared to act in the manner it has been doing. Representatives of the ECB, the IMF and the European Commission will be in town tomorrow. The Minister should accept whatever facility is on offer because such a facility is required - even if it is not necessary to draw down the money - to create certainty and restore confidence, both of which are absent. Without certainty, one will not have confidence.

I support calls for a debate on the Croke Park agreement. The Leader promised to hold such a debate early this month.

I offer my condolences to those affected by the shocking tragedies yesterday in Ballycotton and Newcastle West.