David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

First, I must pay tribute to Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell, who originated this extremely important debate. I have to say I cannot hide my distaste for the banks. They look to me like cockroaches, the only thing that would survive a nuclear explosion. We had a kind of financial nuclear explosion in this country. We thought everything was devastated and then out came the cockroaches again. They have absolutely not changed one whit. They are still behaving in the exactly the same way, that is, disgracefully. I will give a couple of examples. The Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign is a perfectly decent pacifist campaigning organisation. The Bank of Ireland has unilaterally closed its account at the instigation of the Israeli Government. None of us are safe if banks are allowed to get away with that. I understand they have refused the accounts of several diplomatic missions accredited to this country. How do we get on with banks like that? They should be put in their place. They are gagging to get at their emoluments, extra payments, bonuses and all the rest. These people are utterly shameless.