Michael D'Arcy (Fine Gael)

It is positive that we have reached the conclusion of the debate. I agree with other Members that legislation should not be concluded in one day. It is difficult to complete analysis of Bills to ensure there are no loopholes in them. Our role is to scrutinise legislation. This has happened twice in the past week but I do not know if anything could have been done in the context of scheduling. I am glad the House is operating in a positive manner and I direct that view, in particular, to Senator O'Brien.

In response to Senator Barrett, one of the Government's primary objectives is to ensure we regain our financial sovereignty. We did not have more or less financial sovereignty going back generations than we have today when we were ruled by another nation. The people whose portraits are on the walls outside this House gained our financial sovereignty and they our nation's currency. We did not give away our financial sovereignty by deciding to participate in the euro in the same way as other countries. Ireland was one of the newest countries to join the euro. The euro model did not have structures in place for emergencies. That is what this legislation is about and there will be further legislation to ensure if there are difficulties, structures will be in place to ensure we go in the right direction.