Michael D'Arcy (Fine Gael)

I have spoken with people whose businesses have gone into receivership and been liquidated. Liquidators and receivers take their money out of the process first and the charges they apply are criminal. There is much discussion on reducing fees for lawyers and consultants and on changing the way we do business to ensure a genuine, fair regime, but the fees for liquidators and receivers are outrageous.

Employees are the second group to get money out of the banks in this process. This cannot be argued. Central and local government then get their taxes. Practically at the bottom of the pile are depositors. Legislation guarantees deposits up to certain limits, but I question the extent to which we are moving towards ensuring that the status quo remains in place. It is not satisfactory that the same people are always getting their money back first.

I wish to touch upon a number of other banking issues.