Call for explanation on banks inquiry

SEANAD REPORT:IT WAS time that the subterfuge and treachery in the Irish banking sector was rooted out once and for all, Paschal Mooney (FF) said. The Minister for Finance should be asked to give his reaction to what Senator Shane Ross (Ind) had correctly stated about a group of bankers at senior level lying through their teeth, not only to the Government but to the Irish people and to the National Asset Management Agency.

Earlier, Mr Ross told the House the concession by the Minister in regard to the remit of the banking commission of inquiry would be a fairly empty gesture if the investigation was not permitted to probe what had been happening in the banks up to the present.

It had now emerged that top bankers had been lying to Nama, which had been projected to make billions, but was almost certainly facing the prospect of incurring losses. That was a result of bankers lying about the way loans had been serviced. If they were allowed to get away with that, what was the point of having an inquiry up to the nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank, in January 2009? The Minister should explain how far the inquiry would be allowed to go. Placing restrictions on it amounted to deliberately protecting the Government and the bankers as well.

Dan Boyle (Green), deputy Seanad leader, said one of the effects of the banking inquiry would be to identify those who needed to be removed from the system.

Jerry Buttimer (FG) said Mr Ross was right. The Minister was shielding the Taoiseach, his predecessors and others.

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John Hanafin (FF) asked the Green Party leader in the House to ensure that a free vote was allowed on the Civil Partnership Bill, to be debated today and tomorrow. There was a feeling among the public that there had not been a full and frank debate so far, said Mr Hanafin. The Seanad could compensate for the lack of an adequate debate in the Dáil.

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Asylum seekers were being held in concentration-like camps in this country, Nicky McFadden (FG) said. Even though we were facing great economic challenges, it was not right that those seeking asylum could be left waiting up to 10 years to have their applications processed. Their claims should be processed immediately, and if they were going to be deported, this should be done immediately.

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Maria Corrigan (FF) said she had been horrified by the stated intention to transfer people with psychiatric problems from community group homes back into institutions. That was not Government policy, and in no circumstances could it be allowed to happen. Expressing concern about the likely impact of cuts on disability services, Ms Corrigan said there were other areas within the HSE where savings could be made.