John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I did not say Mr. Sibley did. I am saying this to the Department of Finance. That is what is going on here. It is amazing how quickly Mr. Draghi, I think it was, wrote to us.

Over there, they jump out of their skin to protect the banks by writing to committees such as this but whenever we try to protect the citizens of the State against a banking system that brought us to our knees, we get no response whatsoever. They have loads of opinions when they want to undermine the efforts of this House to bring about a balanced situation for people who are desperate, who have had to go before the courts and who have been bullied and intimidated by banks and the people who represent them.

In an earlier remark to a member, Mr. Tobin said he was here to speak truth to power. I think I am speaking truth to power on behalf of the people I represent. It seems to me that the banks have all the cards and they are dictating what happens. The citizen is looking for some tilt in that balance, so they can feel we are there for them, we understand their pain and we will do something about it. The world will not fall in if a version of the Bill which Deputy Doherty is bringing forward were to pass in the House.