Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

He supplied that many, but had no help from the previous Government, of which Deputy Humphreys was a member from 2011 to 2016. Thankfully, there are 700 jobs left. However, there were a couple of thousand jobs at one point, not counting all of the self-employed people. Throughout the country, there are many laws for the little people but no laws for the others.

Consider the situation during the sham trial of the bankers. Not one was prosecuted successfully. In America, any bankers who commit crimes are locked up and behind bars. They are entitled to their good name and are innocent until proven guilty, but here the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, ODCE, made pathetic efforts to prosecute bankers. This included the shredding of hundreds of files by an employee in the DPP's office. It would not be seen in a thriller movie. In another trial that is taking place at the moment, the jury has been dismissed. Nothing has come from these trials except huge costs to the State and huge payments to firms of lawyers. Nobody has been prosecuted. These were sham trials. This is happening before our eyes every day of the week.

I have a list in my pocket of small businessmen who were in court yesterday. I met a man and woman from Cork yesterday evening who asked me to mention their names. They were Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien. They came out of the court and said they wanted to jump in the river. They were in business since 1980. They were trying to raise their family. I have a court list which shows that there were 122 or 123 cases like that from yesterday alone. Think of the inefficiency of that alone, where all of those people had to come into court on the same day at the same time. The barristers and solicitors were with them and they had the meters turned on. The Minister understands that phrase. The 122 or 123 cases were listed for yesterday alone. It is the same for the next four days again. These are ordinary people, many of whom are trying to cut a deal in respect of their debt and provide the banks with perhaps 70% of what they owe. The banks will not accept it from them, but there are vultures - friends of the banks - waiting to buy for 17%, 20% or 25%. I put forward a motion here, along with Deputy Fitzmaurice, before the budget which, if accepted, would have added a 50% penalty or surcharge to those vulture funds when they are buying properties of distressed businessmen or farmers from the banks. The banks would not do business with these people but they would sell to their cosy cartel friends for practically nothing. A 50% surcharge such as that we suggested could go to the Exchequer and be used to provide beds in hospitals, more infrastructure, more teachers - whose services are badly needed - and orthodontic treatment. It could also be used to provide for the people who are being bussed to the North by Deputy Danny Healy-Rae and Deputy Michael Collins to have their cataracts treated. What is happening? Nothing. Those companies can do what they like because there is one law for the rich and one law for the poor.

I have serious concerns about this legislation. I will be tabling many amendments. I look forward to debating it on Committee Stage.

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