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

I compliment Deputy Pearse Doherty and his colleagues in the Sinn Féin Party for bringing this very important legislation before us. Any Deputy or party that tries to bring accountability to our banks deserves to be supported by every person here, regardless of the side of the House on which that person sits. Ultimately, we represent real people, such as young couples, business people and farmers who have been subjected to very harsh treatment over the years by the people in our banking sector. We have seen some of the carry-on of the mainstream banks and I nearly go as far as saying that the only financial institutions left standing with honest-to-God credibility are post offices and credit unions.

They are the only ones we can say have treated the people fairly and honestly.

Given what has gone on in the banking sector, the introduction of accountability through legislation that will ensure wrongdoing is penalised deserves support and I consider anyone who would not support it as completely out of order. At the end of the day, our job is to work on behalf of those we meet at clinics. They come to us individually and in groups and tell us the horror stories of what they have put up with over the years. Our banks have kicked and screamed against what we want to do which is achieve fairness for their customers at the end of the day. In many instances they have treated their customers with contempt.

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