Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

In my view, an appropriate method of punishment must take into account the damage that has been done to the reputation of the financial sector in Ireland. We have developed a strong financial sector. The financial services district is well recognised around the world and the damage that has been done to that by a small number of people has been of such proportion that it has reduced the esteem in which we were held. This has only been recognised in the current environment. We must show, for both the domestic and the international community, that we are prepared to take this on. I have great confidence in the Minister for Finance, particularly with the approach he has taken to ensuring that wrongdoing is found out and that the people associated with it are brought to book and punished in the appropriate way. I want to see — as do the domestic and international communities — that we have the capacity to root out corruption where it exists, wrongdoing where it has happened and deceit where it resides. However, our desire to seek results cannot descend into a willingness to placate in a manner that ignores and undermines the foundation stones of our democracy. A rush to judgment, a trial by media——

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