John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

I support the calls by Senator Brian Hayes with regard to Allied Irish Banks. It is disturbing that the overcharging of customers was known at departmental level some two years ago. What action was taken, if any, to correct this must be made known. Those who were cut short must be refunded. If we want to have a credible view of our banking system, serious action must be taken as this happens all too frequently. I am also alarmed by the taping of telephone calls. When a company is advertising the number of its bank, does it inform customers that all calls to it are recorded? Is it specific calls or all of them?

I have so far refrained from commenting on the photographs coming out from Iraq. As someone who took a particular position on the war in Iraq, it is particularly disturbing. The picture in today's The Irish Times of a prisoner on a leash pushed me over the edge. In such military operations, those who will carry the blame for this will become victims in a way. Ultimate responsibility for this does not lie with them but with those working at higher levels. It is not acceptable that the US will scapegoat a handful of soldiers who may have been carrying out direct orders and not justifying them.