Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

-----one of which is dedicated to dealing with the participation of hedge funds - including vulture capitalists - which have wreaked enormous damage internationally as a result of their speculation and related activities. Is it not extraordinary that these entities have such inordinate influence on Government policy? How on earth could they do anything other than oppose measures that would affect their super-profits? Would they tolerate tax increases in respect of their profits or a financial transactions tax? Would foxes return stolen chickens to a henhouse? The obvious answer is "No".

The big banking and financial institutions to which the Taoiseach referred and to which he is willing to concede such influence are precisely those operating in the financial markets about which we hear so much. They are part of this new dictatorship which is exerting influence over Europe and they created the crisis which is affecting the entire continent at present. If I were to ask whether he would consider establishing an Irish care for the elderly clearing house in order that home helps and representatives of elderly people could meet regularly to engage in discussions, etc., the Taoiseach would probably scoff at the idea. Is it not reasonable that the representatives of the majority and of the people who are suffering under austerity should have more influence on the Government than those who caused the crisis? Does the Taoiseach not accept the rationale being put forward in matters of this nature?

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