Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I join others in seeking a debate on banking. The bankers in this country are getting away with blue murder. We have heard of 750 jobs losses this week; some 750 people will be cast on the dole queues. This has happened after we have recapitalised and bailed out the banks, but there has been no bailout for those who are struggling to meet their mortgage repayments. It is about time that Government brought in the bankers, laid down the law to them and made sure there is some element of quid pro quo given that €54 billion of taxpayers' money was forked out to bail out the bankers. The way they behaved was nothing short of criminality.

I wish to raise the matter of a debate on the media, particularly media coverage of the political system. I raised this on yesterday's Order of Business. Elements of the media are clearly anti-politics and an anti-politics agenda in the current climate is extremely dangerous and unhealthy.