David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Thank God for a President who makes such brilliant, searching and analytical speeches and tells it as it is. This is in extraordinary contrast to the response of the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, in the Dáil. I understand the political motivation, but he denied there was any threat. Then we hear that Mr. Trichet said a bomb would go off in Dublin. I would call that a threat. If a person mentions the word "bomb" in an airport, he or she is whisked off straight away. That is the kind of threat involved. It is a real threat.

This inquiry was held in the shadow of the Abbeylara judgment. The referendum was rejected by the people because of the arrogance of the Government at the time. However, we have to examine this issue again and we should have another referendum. It is ludicrous to have an inquiry that cannot make findings of fact. For God's sake, how pathetic is that? I congratulate the members of the committee on doing what they did in the circumstances. The banks are continuing in the same practices as we speak. What got us into this mess? They ignored the ordinary account holders, treated them with contempt and ran off on a gambling spree to the casino that was the property bubble.

Just last week, there was the case of a woman in Cork with two children and a husband out of work.