Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator O'Brien. I compliment him on pushing the issue every morning. He is highlighting the thousands of mortgage holders who are expecting and would relish the chance to have their interest rates reduced coming up to Christmas. It is up to the Government to address this issue.

We were disturbed by the comments of the Minister, Deputy Noonan, that AIB had a reasonable case. I know what he means by that. We do not have the same resources as the Government but our party is introducing a Bill next week to provide facilities for the Financial Regulator, Matthew Elderfield, to direct the banks to reduce interest rates in line with the ECB. I cannot see why the Government, with all its resources, would have to go cap in hand to the regulator to request him to ask the Government to do something about the matter.

Like Senator Bacik, I was in contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade this morning in regard to the 14 people in Gaza. The position is extremely serious. I agree with Senator Noone that we should ask the Tánaiste to go to Israel. The Government jet and other facilities are available. I appeal for the Taoiseach and the Minister for Defence, Deputy Shatter, to use their influence with the Israeli Government to ensure our people are released. I cannot understand why we cannot send our jet. When Israelis were taken hostage the Israeli Government sent in an airplane and took them out. It is about time we took strong action. We have not even called in the ambassador. We are afraid of Israel.