Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

This is my first time to address the Minister in the Chamber and I am proud to so do. I am getting really worried because he is the second Minister today who I have been obliged to congratulate on something. I spoke against the banking inquiry in this House and with one other Senator voted against it. However, as is typical of the Minister, I believe he has done everything he can to leave no hiding space for anybody, at least within the confines of the State. I congratulate him on this Bill, which is a wonderful piece of work. I hope it provides some of the clarity people in Ireland seek.

Not unlike my colleague, Senator Mullins, I have some concerns about the legal costs and ask the Minister to prevail as best he can on all sides to try to minimise trips down to the Four Courts. Moreover, if there are to be such trips, I ask that some form of fixed cost be set at the outset to avoid running up massive tribunal bills or something similar.

I wish the Minister well with this legislation. I only wish he could bring the same power to bear on those European people who have huge questions to answer, as well as central banks from other parts of the European Union that have questions to answer for the reckless lending they allowed to take place into this country. I hope the Bill will deliver for the people what it certainly promises or attempts to do. I compliment the Minister on it and will not take up any more of his time.