John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

-----by the banks. Families and businesses are affected. People have taken their lives because of the banks. The Minister completely avoided the question I asked. I expect that everyone in the House would agree with my call - even members of the Labour Party - for legislation to deal once and for all with how the banks are treating this Parliament with contempt. Will the Government put the question to the people of this country in a referendum if it cannot introduce legislation? The Government should check the position with the Attorney General.

Will the Government, for once and for all, deal with what the banks are doing to people? That is all I am asking. Will the Minister give me a simple "Yes" or "No" rather than a long-winded answer about this and that? Will the Government introduce legislation or offer a referendum to the people if legislation cannot be introduced to reduce the salaries of bankers? What the Government could sensibly do is reduce their salaries and pensions and let the banks go to court. All of the people in Ireland would support the Government in that.

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