Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)

It is and Deputy Ruairí Quinn did his best with the banks when he was Minister for Finance. I recall when the levy on the banks was introduced some years ago in a budget. It was to touch their social conscience. While the levy came to between €5 million and €10 million at the time, it was like pulling teeth from a goose to get it from them.

There was not a single person in public relations in the country who did not come in here and tell us why the levy should not be charged. That culture is still alive and well. Where will the taxpayer, via the Minister, be represented? The culture still persists — those blooming politicians in Kildare Street, how dare they become involved in the financial affairs of the State. How dare they.

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