Why did you not tell the truth? You are not answering any of the questions.

Why did he not tell us it will cost €2 million every year afterwards, that the pouches will have to be replaced and that the Minister, Deputy Foley. met the company and was given a pouch? What are you hiding?

With respect, I have got a point of order.

There is no point of order when I raise it, a Cheann Comhairle, is that the point?

What about the Tánaiste’s running mate in Cork?

I was just looking for some guidance. I know that the Chair, in his elected capacity, has a role in ensuring that parliamentary questions are answered thoroughly. We do have an answer to a parliamentary question on the record of the Dáil which says that the Minister, Deputy Norma Foley, did not meet with any executive from Yondr. I have the evidence that this is not the case. I have the email correspondence released by the Department to say that she met the executive and a phone pouch was handed over. I would like …

I thank the Ceann Comhairle.

Before I begin with my question, I want to add to the comments made by the Tánaiste on this last sitting day of the Thirty-third Dáil, about the work of all the staff who have ensured the smooth running of these Houses during difficult times. I thank the ushers, cleaners, kitchen staff and those who ensure the proceedings are broadcast and the media which plays a vital role in making sure that the debates are spread further and further afield. As I was reminded by the Tánaiste, we were stretched here. Many of us li…

Therefore, the Tánaiste does not want the Virgin Media debate.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Mar an uair dheireanach ag déileáil leis an reachtaíocht sa Teach seo sa Tríú Dáil is Tríocha, guím gach rath uirthi sa toghchán. Ó thaobh an Bhille seo, mar a dúirt an tAire Stáit, is Bille teicniúil é seo. Is Bille a chuireann an oifig atá ansin ar bhunús dlíthiúil difriúil le hachomharc a dhéanamh ar airgead a chur ar fáil do ghnólachtaí atá ag lorg airgid le luach níos lú ná €3 mhilliún. Faoi seo, tagann an chúirt sin tríd an mBille NAMA a tháinig isteach sna Tith…

Obviously, we are all waiting for the whistle to be blown in terms of the election. In my time in these Houses, I think this is the 18th Finance Bill I have responded to. Even during the time of the IMF bailout, there was agreement to get the Finance Bill through the House. This guillotine is not appropriate. There are sections in this legislation which will not see the light of day in terms of scrutiny. There were major mistakes that the Minister is closing down in this Bill. For example, his predecessor, Deputy P…

Can I take the Minister up on that? He has completely misled the Dáil again, and I really need to ask him to stop doing that. He made the point that loans sold to vulture funds or credit servicing firms are subject to the same rights and entitlements when sold. We know that is not the case, and the FSPO is on record as saying it is not. There was a major loophole in the legislation in 2015. The Central Bank has said it is up to the Government to fix the loophole and to address the issue. The FSPO has made it clear …

I need to pull up the Minister on his claim. He has not withdrawn it. Does he accept – he cannot but do so – that people who have had their loans sold to vulture funds currently do not have the same protections they would have if they had not been sold? Quite a large number of individuals do not. The Minister is in charge of the legislation that is supposed to stop this. It was me who pointed this out to his predecessor. The FSPO made the determinations. There is an amendment proposed but the Minister is not bringi…

They do not have the same protection.

No, the Minister said they had the same protection. He should withdraw that comment.

It is not.

The Minister made a point, and I am telling him now that those who have gone to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman have not done so for the good of their health. These are people who are in financial distress. He has stood there and said they have the same protection. He knows fine well they do not have the same protection because there is a major flaw with the legislation that he is supposed to fix. It has not been fixed and the Dáil is about to be dissolved. As that is simply factual, please do not ins…

That is not the comment. That was not the Minister's comment.

His comments were that the protections travelled with them. They are the comments that gave the green light to the vulture funds to sweep in and buy up these loans.

The Minister is also on the record as misleading the Dáil.