Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)

There is a public expectation that the issue of the banks will be put on a proper footing now, once and for all. That expectation extends to proper regulation being put in place which will oversee these banks and which will ensure the carry-on in which they were engaging will end once and for all. The sackings the public expected have not happened. Those who have left have gone, I understand, on very good terms. There is significant public disquiet, indeed anger, about this aspect. This legislation should be a first step in correcting this mess, this carry-on and crisis in the banking sector which was largely self-created. To be paid at the level of ministerial pay should be more than adequate for any of them. It is beyond me why the Minister will not accept the amendment. The majority should have been sacked anyway.

Why will the Minister not share the report with the House? Is it confidential? What does the report contain that could be confidential if it is a scientific report, as the Minister stated, with levels measured against other industries? What is wrong with sharing that information with the House? What is the secret? Is there something that may damage the public interest to prevent the Minister publishing the report now, this afternoon? I ask the Minister to elaborate as I would be happy with that at least.

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