Dáil debates

Wednesday, 28 April 2010

Central Bank Reform Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed)

 

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)

I will not say I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill, because it is disappointing that such a Bill is required. The reason we need this Bill is the actions of the people opposite, who were not doing their jobs. I always thought the Financial Regulator would be in constant contact with the Minister for Finance. Maybe the regulator was in contact with the Minister, but the Minister - now the Taoiseach - buried his head in the sand, as he has done since he took over the leadership of the Fianna Fáil Party. He feels that if he ignores what is happening, it may some day go away. Speaker after speaker has mentioned the CEOs and chairpersons of Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide Building Society. They cannot be too far wrong when the same message is being repeated.

On 13 October 2009, while speaking in the House, I called Mr. Fingleton a gangster, and I received correspondence in this regard. The brass neck displayed by Mr. Fingleton in asking me to withdraw my statement amazed me. I have not withdrawn it and I will not do so, or be forced to do so, because I believe in my heart and soul that that is what he is. There are other people also, including Mr. FitzPatrick.

Deputy Ring said that some of these people should be jailed. In America, people were handcuffed and removed from the banks, put in the backs of police cars and put in jail. However, because the people about whom we are talking are friends of the Members opposite - that is, Fianna Fáil - they are not being jailed. If the Green Party Members were sitting behind me now, as they were between 2002 and 2007, clever Trevor and poor gormless John would be jumping around the place over what has happened. However, because they are in their cosy cartel, with their State cars, they have decided to shut their mouths. It is a case of "Hear no evil, see no evil." It is disappointing that the members of a party that I thought had morals have absolutely nothing. They stand for nothing, and people outside the House know this.

I will turn now to the former Financial Regulator, Mr. Neary. When Willie McAteer told Mr. Neary-----

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