Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to join other speakers on the issue of bankers' salaries. It strikes me that if a doctor or solicitor or some other professional had behaved as irresponsibly when it came to their profession as the bankers in this country have when it came to lending, they would be hauled in before the Law Society of Ireland or the Medical Council and struck off. These same bankers are earning in excess of €800,000. No one can stand over this. I hope the Government will take a strong line with these bankers. They are not coming in here next week but we should haul them in here. If the Oireachtas inquiries referendum had passed it would be the very situation whereby we could have the bankers in here and scrutinise them properly about their lending habits and these vast salaries. As Senator Mullins stated, they are planning cuts next week. I hope there will be sufficient and sizable cuts especially in the larger salaries in the banks. I am disappointed that they are let get away with this level of pay and that they are breaking the caps that were implemented. The whole thing is sickening for the average person.

If the Cathaoirleach will indulge me I wish to briefly mention another matter. I had some creative therapists in the House yesterday who deal with many of our more vulnerable citizens who have all sort of difficulties when it comes to mental health. There are many innovative ways that these creative therapists can help people who have problems such as epilepsy and all sorts of psychological issues. They are not recognised as therapists under statute in this country. That makes no sense.