Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator White is acting leader of Fianna Fáil today. The Minister for Finance and the Government are acting in the national interest in trying to achieve the best possible deal for our citizens. The Senator set out a personal position which contradicts some of the constructive statements made by the Fianna Fáil spokesman on finance in the other House. She is entitled to her opinion in that regard.

Last night the Minister comprehensively outlined our current position and where we are going. The President signed the Bill this morning after it was considered by this House. The governing council of the ECB met this morning and a press conference will take place at 1.30 p.m. We are hopeful that a constructive deal that benefits all our citizens will result from the negotiations. I hope that is the wish of every Member of this House. The Minister noted that the Government had to act quickly because once information became public there was an immediate risk to the bank. He took immediate action to secure its stability and its assets. This legislation had been approved by the Attorney General and was ready for when we wanted it. There was no panic; it is reasoned and considered legislation. The Minister, Deputy Noonan, is sure footed and the people of Ireland have confidence in him to get the best possible deal for our nation.

Senator O'Keeffe spoke about the ECB and mentioned the public consultation report, which I hope has been circulated to all Members of the House. The report is very concise. People may think at first glance that it does not contain much but the various people who made comprehensive and excellent submissions to the Seanad Public Consultation Committee were pleased with it. I will try to arrange a debate with the Minister at the earliest opportunity so that we can discuss the recommendations and the key points and findings of the report. I urge Members to read it.

I join Senator Barrett in thanking all the staff and Members who were here at 6 a.m. to debate the important Bill that we passed. I welcome the Senator's comments on the achievements of the Irish Parliamentary Party over a number of years. Those achievements are long forgotten or written out of history by many historians but it was the party of Ireland in seeking home rule for this country over a 40-year period. It was the dominant party in this country at one stage. I agree that it should be commemorated in a better way than it has been remembered heretofore.

Senator O'Donovan spoke about single farm payments. All of us wish the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine well in his negotiations and hope he will secure the best possible deal for Ireland.

Senator Susan O'Keeffe also mentioned the negotiations on the EU budget. It is very important that a conclusion is secured on the budget.

Senator Aideen Hayden spoke about the Bill taken last night. This matter was also raised by quite a number of other Senators who called for a debate on the deal, when we have one. That debate will happen.

Senators Feargal Quinn, Martin Conway, Colm Burke and Catherine Noone raised the matter of the importance of organ donations and pointed out that there had been a drop in numbers this year. Senator Martin Conway said we needed training, for nurses in particular, in how to seek donations. Organ donation is an important issue and we will try to get the Minister for Health to come to the House to discuss it. We have had four or five requests today for the Minister to come to the House to discuss various issues. We will certainly try to get him to come here soon.

Senator Feargal Quinn asked about the Construction Contracts Bill which I have been informed will be brought to the Dáil in March. At last there is some movement on it.

Senator David Cullinane spoke about our debate. There is no danger that he will celebrate any deal as his party thrives on the misery of others. No wonder he is angry, when the Government is making progress in the negotiations with our EU partners. I note the comment made by Senator Jimmy Harte that Sinn Féin has a different way of dealing with banks than other parties. That is another matter.