A few minutes ago, the Taoiseach spoke about the importance of hope and confidence in reigniting employment creation. Does he realise that the lack of credit is destroying hope and confidence?

Hold on a second, Deputy.

Deputy O'Dea has no credit anyway.

I am seeking the Deputy's co-operation.

In relation to a specific commitment, on page six-----

No. We are not dealing with page six or page seven.

On page six of the programme for Government, which we are surely dealing with, there is a specific commitment to create a strategic investment bank to provide credit. When will we see the legislation for this bank?

I did not realise the Deputy was going to get there.

Everybody is agreed that credit is fundamental for the expansion of the economy, job opportunities and growth. As a first step, the Government is completing the legislation in respect of NewERA, which will provide the investment fund, bearing in mind that it can lead to a strategic investment bank. That will be in this session. Clearly, the strategic investment fund will leverage moneys for investment into sound infrastructure projects.

The Taoiseach promised us a bank.

We agree that credit is clearly important. That is why the NPRF made €800 million available two weeks ago in three sectors for small and medium enterprises. That is why the Minister put ten points in an action plan for SMEs. That is why banks are now required to prove their lending and credit availability for SMEs.

So the bank has become redundant.

As regards the first part of the Deputy's question, it will be completed when the strategic investment fund is created, leading - if the Government so wishes - to complete its review for a strategic investment bank later in the year.

That was a guarantee in the programme for Government.

We have changed some, as the Deputy knows.