Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

For the Government to include a commitment to compile a report on this topic in the Finance Bill, one of the signature Bills the Oireachtas handles every year, would send out a signal that we are considering doing this, but we are not. While such a move is politically attractive and I understand why many who are looking on could see the initial appeal of something like this, those who are looking on at a claim and a debate like this would ultimately pay a price if we were to go down this route. It is the case, as the Deputy has said, that we have had a massive change in the Irish banking system this year, with more to come as we see banks leave the market. We need the banks that are left to lend more and at more competitive rates and we need them to continue to be employers in our country. This measure, if implemented, would be detrimental to those things that are important to our country's economy. Substantively, I take a different view from the Deputy and from Sinn Féin on this issue. For it to be included as a report in the Finance Bill sends out a signal about a matter that should not be followed on or implemented. It is always up to the Committee on Budgetary Oversight whether it wants to initiate either a report or research on the matter.

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