Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

I support the request by my colleague, Senator Fidelma Healy Eames for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar to make a statement on the situation in Galway Airport. The dawn raid by Bank of Ireland is both unethical and unacceptable. From the reports this morning, the employees at the airport are fearful that their legitimate redundancy payments may be jeopardy. The future of the airport is also being jeopardised by the bank's action and the board is now considering recommending liquidation. This is a most serious development. The action by the bank brings into sharp focus the anecdotal evidence that the banks are indulging in practices that are putting many businesses across the country in jeopardy.

I ask the Leader to once again consider having a major debate on banking. Unless we resolve it as a matter of urgency many businesses will go to the wall with the loss of many jobs.