Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I thank Senator O'Brien for his very constructive comments on a number of issues. I agree with him that it is people's duty to pay the household charge. I disagree with him on the numbers paying. Over the coming days before the deadline of 31 March we will see an exponential rise in those paying. People always leave any payment until they absolutely have to pay it.

I thank him for his constructive comment on the Anglo Irish Bank promissory note. All of us here, whatever our political affiliation, must be hopeful of good news on that front from the Minister, Deputy Noonan. We all wish him well in the deal he is seeking to finalise on the deferral of payment of the €3.1 billion to 2025. It is a very welcome development.

In response to an issue raised by the Opposition on a number of occasions, I welcome the fact that the Minister, Deputy Noonan, announced the matter in the Dáil yesterday. It is appropriate that such an announcement is made in the Oireachtas. It was welcome, both in terms of where it was made and its substance.

Senator John Whelan yesterday called for a debate on banking. We might very usefully have such a debate. It should consider the broader issue of not just salaries paid to bankers, but how the banks are being financed, particularly in light of the announcement by AIB that there will be no such thing as free banking for its customers.

I call for a debate on the Mahon tribunal report. It has just been published and nobody will have had a chance to read or digest it in any detail, but it would be very useful for us to debate its findings when we have had a chance to consider the very large number of findings and conclusions the report is likely to draw.