John Crown (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am sorry to interrupt the latest edition of why we should have abolished the House but I would like to raise three issues, which are interrelated, although at first glance they may not appear to be. We all understand what is going on here. Senator Barrett is the only qualified person in either House to ask the appropriate questions of bankers and regulators at the banking inquiry and he may find himself removed from the committee holding the inquiry for reasons that have nothing to with his competence or the national interest and everything to do with party political interests and pique. I ask Members to look into their hearts for one glorious moment, pretend they are not in a party and look at the 4.6 million people in the country and what they have gone through as a result of the behaviour of the banks and decide who they think are the best people to have on the committee of inquiry and if Senator Barrett is one of them. That is the only question Members should ask.