Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Leader to organise an immediate debate and bring the Minister for Finance into the House on the liquidation of IBRC and the actions by KPMG, the liquidator appointed. It seems that many of the contracts for sale that were to be processed by IBRC prior to its liquidation will now be held up for four months, and possibly longer, as a result of the appointment of this liquidator. They seem to have the view that they must reappraise all the sales and go through all those proposed contracts. Obviously, this is holding up a significant amount of sales that were approved and which may not go ahead because of the delay. There are those who want to buy some of the homes. There are commercial property and business is being held up. A significant tranche - billions of euro worth of property are involved in this - will be delayed as a result of the liquidator's actions. I ask that the Leader bring in the Minister for Finance, or at least get an explanation, and organise a debate as to why the economy is being held up by the actions of the liquidator. This involves a delay in people's lives and the slowing down of the economy. We want the economy to move forward, yet, through the actions of liquidators, instead of allowing sales and contracts - ones that have been approved and in some cases, signed by one of the parties - to go through, they will be stalled. We could see those sales collapse at a loss not only to those involved, but also to the taxpayer. I ask the Deputy Leader to organise a debate on that issue.

I support my colleague's call for an inquiry into why the visas for Chinese and Russian delegates visiting Ireland will be delayed. We have one of the most appalling visa processes in the Western world. Instead of encouraging investment from BRIC countries, the Government discourages it by the visa process. I ask the Deputy Leader to organise a debate or get the Minister into the House to explain why officials from China and Russia will be put through a tortuous visa application process in Ireland. Instead of making it easier and encouraging trade with and visits to Ireland, the Government is discouraging it.