Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There would be uproar if a bank was robbed. We have it the other way around now - the banks are robbing the people. There is frustration and anger at the fact that so many people lost their homes. The repercussions for families, children and parents have been significant. People have had to leave their homes. I know so many who have lost their homes. It is so sad to think that banks and financial institutions could do what they have done.

It is not a building that did this; it was the people within those institutions who inflicted this wrong on those affected. There should be some accountability from the managers or the people in charge who meted out this bad wrong to these unsuspecting people.

I was comforted to hear the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, saying that there will be redress and a compensation package for the disenfranchised borrowers. I hope it does not take long because these people have suffered for long enough. The people who did this should be made accountable for their actions and behaviours. The examination by the Central Bank needs to be fast-tracked and we need to see a determined effort to finalise it as soon as possible.

I recall the anguish many felt some years ago when the banks squealed on the people with foreign accounts. The banks advised these people to take out these foreign based accounts. It was not the case that people in lonely hillside farms thought of putting money into these foreign addressed accounts; the banks advised them to do it. Then, the banks gave their names to the Revenue Commissioners and squealed on them. Many people suffered at the time because of the advice the banks gave to unsuspecting account holders. The people in these banks who meted out this wrong to so many families should be made to feel pain now because it is only right and fair. I thank Deputy Eamon Ryan for allowing me to share time.

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