Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Tá dhá cheist agam. The first is about the Referendum Act. The Taoiseach is probably aware that the Supreme Court is to give its decision in the Joanna Jordan case on Friday. I ask that the Government abide by that result, unlike in the case of the children's referendum when the Government did not abide by the Supreme Court's decision on the misappropriation of funding. I seek a commitment that it will abide by the decision.

Second, with regard to the Central Bank Consolidation Bill, when will the Government rein in the banks? The Taoiseach saw how they gave the two fingers to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, and everybody else regarding variable rate mortgages. There is no code of conduct for receivers and security companies - thugs, in other words - going onto people's property at 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. dressed in balaclavas and with Alsatian dogs. They are mobs. As I said yesterday, it would not happen in Libya. The Government is standing idly by and allowing this to happen in a democratic state.

It is an indictment of the Government that it allowed this to happen, mar dhea under court order. When the woman of the house asked for the court order, the superintendent was unable or unwilling to provide it. It is shameful that this should happen.

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