Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would welcome a response but it would be unusual to get it from that side of the House when the Leader is not here. Yesterday the Governor of the Central Bank was before a finance committee, and he basically admitted that he must cave into the wishes of banks.

It was sad to hear that. I was also sad to hear that he will not investigate any further the tapes that comprise live evidence of what was occurring in Anglo Irish Bank at a time when the country was in crisis. Did he make that decision himself or was he persuaded to do so by the Government? Those concerned do not have a great history of investigating tapes that are released in the national interest.

This House has taken a lead in regard to banking. My colleague, Senator MacSharry, has published two Bills in this respect. On the Order Paper at present, there are three Bills, initiated by our colleague Senator Barrett: the Fiscal Responsibility (Statement) Bill 2011 – Second Stage (resumed); the Mortgage Credit (Loans and Bonds) Bill 2012 – Second Stage (resumed); and the Financial Stability and Reform Bill 2013 – Second Stage. Could the Acting Leader insist that the Minister for Finance come to this House to discuss banking so we can ascertain the up-to-date position from him and his plans to sort out the banks? We seem to be the only arm of the Oireachtas that can realistically debate anything of importance to this country.