Shane Ross (Independent)

The Minister behaved in an appropriate manner at the last minute only because he was forced to do so by public opinion. It is highly disturbing that AIB and the Government have moved in tandem rather than in opposite directions on the issue of bonuses. This was evident in their simultaneous release of press statements yesterday in which they tick-tacked to each other exactly what they would say. Moreover, both the Government and AIB miraculously changed their minds on the issue at exactly the same time. Last week they both indicated it was fine to pay bonuses and took the line that the law had enforced payment. This week both of them changed their mind simultaneously and they did a U-turn together. The Government's reaction consistently on the issue of the banks has not been to take them on but to defend them in the worst of circumstances. When news of the bonuses broke, the Minister should have immediately sacked Mr. Spring and Mr. Collier, his appointees to the board of AIB, and stated they were not doing the job he had asked them to do, namely, to defend the taxpayer. Mr. Spring and Mr. Collier were acting precisely against the interests of taxpayers. The public interest nominees of the Government to the banks seemed to go native immediately. I do not know whether the reason is the €30,000 per annum they receive or whether they are under some pressure. They will only move when the Government compels them to move and it will only move when it is compelled to do so by public opinion. I ask the Leader to request the Minister to come before the House today in order that we can ask who is the puppet in this case. It is my contention that the Government is the banks' puppet. That is the position in this case.