Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I met these people during the week and I wish to state that I am grateful to the staff at Friends First who met us, looked after us and were very kind to us, but not these people, who would not give us a cup of tea for the 13 hours I was there or the 24 hours for which the other remained. I thank Mr. Tim O'Brien, chairman of the Association of Farm Contractors in Ireland, Mr. Sam Deacon and the two neighbours who accompanied us there, namely, Mr. Peter Doyle and Mr. Alymer Dalton, as well as the many other farmers and subcontractors who went to Friends First to show their anger, annoyance and hurt. This behaviour cannot be accepted. This is modern Ireland and is a democracy. We are putting billions into the banks and while this particular bank is not one of the banks under the State guarantee, it is a banking institution. I also calling on Mr. Pat Farrell, chairman of the Irish Banking Federation, to deal with these people. I am putting them on notice that unless this matter is dealt with within seven days and unless such activities cease and desist, it will be necessary to take other actions, because the people of counties Tipperary and Wexford are proud people with a proud history. Are we going to have such people like the Peep o' Day Boys or the Black and Tans, who we resisted? These people broke into the farm. They had equipment in their car that was like what one would need to get into the Central Bank.

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