Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

We have had calls from Government Members since this Seanad commenced for agreements on progressing legislation. They have agreement this week; they have got what they wanted. There is agreement on passing one Bill. It is not an enormous Bill and we have passed lengthier legislation in a week. This Government has been adept at adopting emergency legislation and guillotining Bills. There is no reason to guillotine the Finance Bill, as we have a full week to agree it. However, this represents Fine Gael, the Labour Party and other Opposition parties acting in the national interest to agree that the Bill will be adopted to ensure there can be a general election within the shortest possible time and to end this terrible Government. That is what is at issue.

This agreement also calls the Government's bluff because we have seen in the past that the State being joined at the hip with our banks has caused a fundamental problem for this country——