Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Some people hold the view that they should be sacked. They should not be kept in a position where they are compensated in a way that is far in excess of what anybody else in society is being paid. As a former employee of banking institutions, including Bank of Ireland, I can tell the Minister of State that many of my former colleagues are looking at the CEO of Bank of Ireland and Mr. Kane who lost bonuses in the United Kingdom because of the way he had conducted himself and is now in a position of authority in Bank of Ireland as a director. These former colleagues and people working at the front desks of the banks face losing their jobs and are concerned, as they have massive debts. They look at Mr. Boucher and his ilk and say he is not aware of what is morally and financially correct. I urge the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, to tomorrow morning use the 15% shareholding on behalf of the people. We are public representatives and the public does not want to see bankers walking out with golden sunset cheques in their back pockets.

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