Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

-----but that is what I am starting to believe. It seems this plan will be published when neither House is sitting. If that is the case, the Leader should give a commitment that this House will be recalled to discuss that specific item. He has given a commitment, which I welcome, that when the HSE service plan is published a full debate will take place in the House with the Minister for Health present but I do not want the Minister to publish it on 20 December when Members have left for the Christmas recess. It is too important for that to happen. The Leader might indicate if he has an update on when the plan will be published.

Last week I raised with the Leader the issue of the welcome ECB rate cut that sees the rate at a record low level of 0.25%. I asked the Leader whether the Government had any contact with the banks, which the taxpayers support, about passing on that rate cut to variable rate customers who are struggling. Many customers in arrears, and those just outside being in arrears, need this rate cut to be passed on. I was astonished to hear at the time that Government had not made any contact with AIB, Bank of Ireland, ICS Building Society or EBS. I ask that in the coming week a commitment be given that Government must outline its view on that. What surprises me is that a view is not being given by our Minister for Finance. He is not giving any direction. I am not asking him to micromanage the banks but I am asking him to state clearly whether the Government believes this 0.25% rate cut should be passed on to variable rate customers. I am not asking him to direct Bank of Ireland, AIB or the other two mortgage lenders, ICS and EBS, to do that. I am asking him for his view. It would be very difficult for the banks to ignore a statement from the Minister for Finance that he believes the rate cut should be passed on but, more importantly, it would give an indication to those customers struggling on high variable rates that the Government actually does care. I ask the Leader to inquire of the Minister for Finance if he would make a statement on the Government position on the 0.25% rate cut.