Mary White (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)

A strong regulatory regime is needed as part of the Minister's current work on financial reform. We must remember when we draw up codes, regulations and procedures that we are dealing with people, not commodities, broken dreams and not just statistics. Many people in trouble now are in despair because of the reckless attitudes of our banks. We have a chance now to change that. The banks need to know that we will enforce tough measures if they employ heavy-handedness towards people to whom they so casually and extravagantly lent money.

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