The Minister suggested that I must be joking. It is not a joke. I deal with people on a daily basis whose lives have been destroyed-----

Hear, hear.

-----by the banks. Families and businesses are affected. People have taken their lives because of the banks. The Minister completely avoided the question I asked. I expect that everyone in the House would agree with my call - even members of the Labour Party - for legislation to deal once and for all with how the banks are treating this Parliament with contempt. Will the Government put the question to the people of this country in a referendum if it cannot introduce legislation? The Government should check the position with the Attorney General.

Will the Government, for once and for all, deal with what the banks are doing to people? That is all I am asking. Will the Minister give me a simple "Yes" or "No" rather than a long-winded answer about this and that? Will the Government introduce legislation or offer a referendum to the people if legislation cannot be introduced to reduce the salaries of bankers? What the Government could sensibly do is reduce their salaries and pensions and let the banks go to court. All of the people in Ireland would support the Government in that.

There are two separate issues here. One relates to businesses under pressure and the other to pay levels in banks. We have just had a review of pay levels in banks and actually, for what it is worth---

The banks are walking all over the Government.

Deputy, please.

If Deputy Halligan does not want to hear my ---

They are walking all over everybody. A woman called to my office this morning at 8 a.m.-----

Deputy Halligan, please cool down and show some respect.

The bank are trying to take her house from her. I am upset because of the cases I am hearing about every day.

The Deputy may be upset but he must allow the Minister to reply.

The banks are walking all over us. Enough is enough.

Thank you, Deputy. You have had your say. Please allow the Minister to reply.

I will reply to the specific question that was asked. My view and that of the Government is that it is not possible to legislate essentially to undo or reverse contracts that have been signed. That is the position with regard to the CEO of Bank of Ireland. Instead, we have asked the banks to come forward with proposals that will reduce salary levels within banks by between 6% and 10%.

More proposals.

We expect that we will get a detailed proposal on that from the banks in the not-too-distant future.

Not according to a report in today's edition of The Irish Times.