AN OPPOSITION demand that the Government extend the Dáil debate on the nationalising of Anglo Irish Bank was rejected by the Government.
The Government’s proposal was to sit from 1.30pm to 6.30pm.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said that accountability was a fundamental aspect of the First Dáil.
“To suggest that this House can deal with a Bill of 38 pages, produced at nine o’clock this morning and with the magnitude that it contains, in a number of hours is simply not credible.”
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said the Dáil should be back in full session even if there was no proposal to nationalise a bank.
“This is a major decision. The implications of what is being done here, and what is happening beyond this House, are huge.”
He said the House should have sat yesterday until 10.30pm and sit as normal for the rest of the week.
Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin accused the Government of rushing through and “ill-conceived” proposal.
“The members of the House are being asked to agree to the potential nationalisation of what could well prove to be, and has plenty of indicators to suggest it, a financial cesspit.”
Taoiseach Brian Cowen said the Bill’s purpose was to underpin the stability of the financial system. Wider issues were open for debate at any time and could be discussed by the Finance Committee or in a plenary session of the House. The Government defeated the Opposition demand by 80 votes to 70.
