Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The people are just sick and tired of them.

There are two laws in this country, one for the rich and one for the poor. The poor go to jail when they break the law and the rich get big bonuses. For example, we were paying people such as the Financial Regulator, to whom we were giving a big bonus and who is now retiring, who did not do his job. He came in to committees, and he certainly did not do his job. Neither did the governor of the Central Bank, and what do we do with him? We reappoint him.

The banks are in total disarray. They have let down the Government, they have let down the people and they have let down the country, and what has happened? The small men and women of this country, the taxpayers, must pick up the tab again for the banks. That is not right.

We warned the people of this country. We warned them about the Galway tent which was dictating policy. The Government was telling us that it did not need us, that it would get this country moving and was creating employment. I can tell the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power, that they have created chaos in this country. What if somebody does not pay a price? The governor of the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator should have been sacked when we saw what was unfolding. Instead we are giving them bonuses and rewards.

I want to make a few positive suggestions. Currently there are 70,000 houses unoccupied. If, tomorrow morning, the Government was to get the 13% VAT on them, it would amount to approximately €2.7 billion. The Minister and the Government should immediately speak to the Construction Industry Federation about these houses at their present prices and give young couples and first-time buyers a €10,000 grant because the Government must act like the supermarkets and other outlets, and hold a sale as well.

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