The long-awaited banking inquiry begins its first day of taking evidence today, but that development has been overshadowed by the refusal of representatives of the European Central Bank to appear before the inquiry.

Will the Deputy circulate her script?

Please stay quiet.

The ECB played a direct and central role in the matters the inquiry will examine. It had a central role in the inflation of the property and credit bubbles which burst so catastrophically. In 2010 the then ECB president, Jean-Claude Trichet, demanded that the State apply for a bailout to recapitalise the banks and that a vicious programme of austerity be imposed on the people. These demands were made using the threat of withdrawing emergency funding from the Irish banking system. The Government of the day succumbed to that threat and did the bidding of the ECB, thus saving the euro, the banks and the bondholders, as well as crippling the people with debt and austerity.

Mario Draghi, the President of the ECB, once again demonstrates an arrogant disregard for this State and our people. The ECB's snub to the banking inquiry is not just unacceptable but a calculated insult. Mr. Draghi has given two fingers to the members of the inquiry, the Oireachtas and Irish citizens, and it is unacceptable. This morning, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, said the ECB had an obligation to attend the inquiry. Does the Taoiseach believe the ECB is obliged to attend the inquiry? What does he intend to do to ensure it faces up to its obligation? Has the Taoiseach or anyone in the Government been in direct contact with Mr. Draghi? Has anyone challenged him on his refusal to co-operate with the banking inquiry?

They could Skype him.

Deputy McDonald gave two fingers to a number of people who were not here to defend themselves when she read from a confidential document given to members of the Committee of Public Accounts here last week. For that, she should correct the record.

Hear, hear. It is disgraceful.

The ECB is not obliged to attend here but to respond to the European Parliament. Although I see no reason the ECB should not be represented at the banking inquiry, I cannot force it to attend. Mr. Draghi is more than competent to attend this banking inquiry or any other. In his position in the ECB he said he would do everything he could to protect the euro, and he has. This is very important to this country and all the eurozone members. I have not spoken to Mr. Draghi and asked him to attend the banking inquiry, which commences today with Mr. Peter Nyberg. On Thursday, Mr. Rob Wright is coming in to discuss the independent review panel and strengthening the Department of Finance. While I understand the ECB is not obliged to attend, it would be appropriate if it did; however, I cannot force it to.

We are all too familiar with the ECB's efforts to save the euro. The people watching know from direct experience what the cost of it was. The previous Government was bullied, threatened and harangued into doing the bidding of the ECB. The country and the people were not bailed out; the banks were. We have had year after year and budget after budget of cutbacks and austerity. People know all about the ECB and its efforts to protect the euro. They also know the ECB has shown an utter disregard for the people and economy of this State. We also know, if we did not before, that the Taoiseach is a crawler.

That is typical.

That is 100% Gerry Adams.

It is a disgraceful comment.

The Deputy should withdraw the remark.

That sort of language is unparliamentary.

The Taoiseach is not prepared to call the institution to account. He said the ECB was not obliged to attend but that it should. What does the Taoiseach propose to do to ensure its representatives attend? He is not a disinterested bystander or onlooker. He is not - heaven forbid - Mr. Draghi's messenger boy. He is the Taoiseach of the country, and the people expect him to stand by them.

Is Deputy McDonald the messenger girl for Deputy Adams?

Has the Taoiseach been in touch with Mr. Draghi? Will he be in touch with Mr. Draghi? What does he propose to do to ensure his co-operation with the inquiry, or will he, once again, doff his forelock and do the ECB's bidding?

Will the Deputy withdraw her offensive remark? She should withdraw it.

What remark was that?

The Taoiseach will deal with this issue.

Methinks the Deputy is stung because of her party's refusal to accept responsibility in respect of dealing with Northern Ireland issues.

The Taoiseach is a crawler to the Brits as well.

The Taoiseach does not even know where Northern Ireland is.

If she speaks about crawling, I could remind her of a few events very quickly, although I will not do so here. The Deputy does not realise this country is recognised as having the fastest growing economy in Europe. Between 80,000 and 100,000 people are going to work who did not have that opportunity before. The number of people who are finding new jobs is increasing, which is important. The Deputy seems to want to get rid of the euro and return to a different type of currency. I am unclear what her projection is.

I want the ECB to attend the banking inquiry and I want to know what the Taoiseach is going to do make it happen.

We know she wants to increase income tax by 8% and introduce a land tax and an exorbitant wealth tax for people who earn over €100,000. She does not seem to recognise that the Government has focused on the lower and middle-income group to give them relief and some certainty in the future in light of the sacrifices they have made.

The Deputy's question was whether the ECB is obliged to attend the inquiry. The ECB is obliged to respond to the European Parliament. Sinn Féin has a number of Members in the European Parliament. I do not hear them asking these questions in the Parliament or telling us what they are doing out there. They seem to have vanished into some kind of vacant space. Deputy McDonald cannot come here before Christmas and be all things to all people, pretending she knows all the answers. Her party will not accept responsibility in Northern Ireland and could well be a catalyst in bringing down the institutions.

Will the Taoiseach give us an answer?

She does not understand that the ECB is responsible to the European Parliament. She does not want to appreciate that the ECB did a very big deal with Ireland in respect of our negotiations about the promissory note. She does not seem to understand that Mr. Draghi and the ECB have brought interest rates to an historic low so that business can thrive across the eurozone and the EU. Unlike the party she represents in some of its sectors, we are not in the business of forcing people who have no legal responsibility to turn up here.

We know that.

I am sure Mr. Draghi would be more than competent to answer at the banking inquiry and I wish he would attend.

Will the Taoiseach ask him?

Ask him.

Ask him.

However, as I said already, I do not have the authority to require or force him. Of course I will ask him. However, I will not listen to a sham argument here when Sinn Féin's leader declines to accept responsibility for what he has done in Northern Ireland.

Hear, hear.

Could both sides stay quiet?

It is a ridiculous comparison.

Deputy Mac Lochlainn, would you mind staying quiet? Deputy Wallace is on his feet.

It is difficult to stay quiet.

If you cannot, then leave the Chamber.

It is the Christmas crackers.