Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Mooney's comments about the international language schools. The image of our country is being severely damaged by what is happening. An inquiry into the operation of this business is needed. Questions need to be asked about the legitimacy of what is being operated and the rationale for the establishment of some of these schools. I would certainly like to hear from the Minister. It would be appropriate if a statement in this House were to coincide with the protest being held next week. It is totally unacceptable not only that young people who have travelled from abroad in the expectation of studying here find their parents are severely financially disadvantaged as a result, but also that teachers are not paid for their work for long periods of time. This whole area needs investigation.

I welcome the fact that Jean-Claude Trichet will be in Dublin today to answer some questions from the Members of the Oireachtas who are doing an excellent job in conducting the banking inquiry. We should acknowledge the progress that is being made. In recent weeks, we have seen the spectacle of senior bankers putting up their hands and accepting full responsibility for their roles in wrecking the economy and our banking system. It is now time for their banks to make some gesture of recompense for what they have imposed on the citizens of this country over the past decade. At a time when the banks are borrowing at unbelievably low interest rates, it is not acceptable that they are failing to pass on those lower rates. As the Taoiseach has said, the banks received help from the State for the benefit of customers and citizens rather than for their own benefit. We need a debate on banking behaviour. I recently called for a debate on how the banks are treating their customers, including small businesses and people in distressed mortgage situations. We got into difficulty in the past because nobody shouted "stop". There was a lack of oversight and regulation. We need to have a debate in the coming weeks on how the safeguards that have been put in place are operating and how the banks are behaving. It would be appropriate for the Leader, when he gets an opportunity to do so, to arrange a debate in this House on the whole banking system and on what we are learning from the banking inquiry.