Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

Yesterday I spoke about telling the truth and honesty. I have the greatest of respect for Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú. He referred this morning to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, speaking with sincerity. The Minister's heart is in the right place and he is a very good communicator. However, there have been so many mistakes and so many things that have gone wrong that it seems a completely incompetent Government has led us to this terrible point. Today the Minister has totally changed his tune. He is implying we have been told what we have to do and that we are in a European situation and share a single currency. Does he actually know what he is doing at all?

What happened in Cork and Limerick yesterday is just the tip of the iceberg of very severe pressure and stress that people are under. A sign should be given to the former CEO of Anglo Irish Bank, whose name I will not mention and who is getting away scot free in Cape Cod. His borrowings are now regarded as non-recourse borrowings, which means he will get away with not paying a debt of €8.5 million. I have said before in the House that white collar crime of this extent must be tackled. That the Garda could not obtain codes to gain access to files in Anglo Irish Bank is quite outrageous. A sign should be given to the people, by way of following up on these dreadful criminals, that would give them some faith and hope.