We use Google Analytics to see which pages are read and how the site is used, so we know what to improve. This only runs if you accept. See our privacy notice for details.

Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Fianna Fáil banking record

Summary

Senator Harte attacks what he calls Fianna Fáil revisionism over bankers’ pay and asks that Deputy Martin appear before the House to explain the former Government’s record.

I enjoy listening to Senator Darragh O'Brien every morning. I get up earlier in the morning to listen to his view of the country.

Comment on this

The Senator has a sad life.

Comment on this

I could go back to jogging. There are a lot of "-isms". We are bombarded with communism, fascism, racism, but the greatest "-ism" at the moment is revisionism. Fianna Fáil is probably taking lessons in revisionism.

Comment on this
Paddy Burke An Cathaoirleach Fine Gael

We are on questions now. Does the Senator have one for the Leader?

Comment on this

I call for the present leader of Fianna Fáil to come to the House to talk about revisionism. Three years ago the bankers were getting salaries of €2 million and €3 million.

Comment on this

We did not own them.

Comment on this

I am sure those salaries were discussed in the Galway tent at the time and there was no talk of reducing the €2 million to €800,000 or €500,000. I am totally opposed to any bank employee getting €800,000, €600,000 or €500,000 and I fully support the calls from my Labour Party colleagues in the Dáil that this should not have happened. The Minister should have objected but that would have been a futile exercise and I understand his stance. Ordinary people want to see the Government take on the banks, which is what we are doing unlike the previous Government.

A person appeared on last night's news bulletins and spoke about Bank of Ireland's AGM. I will not mention the name of that individual but he is a former Senator and in the past he proposed that Seán FitzPatrick should have been Governor of the Central Bank. That is more revisionism.

Comment on this

Is there going to be a question at all?

Comment on this

I ask that the Leader invite Deputy Martin to come before the House to explain----

Comment on this

He would be delighted to come here. The Senator should submit a request that he do so to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. I am sure Deputy Martin would be delighted to come to the House to answer Senator Harte's questions.

Comment on this
Paddy Burke An Cathaoirleach Fine Gael

Senator Harte should submit a request to the Leader and the Committee on Procedure and Privileges..

Comment on this

I thank Senator Darragh O'Brien and the Cathaoirleach for their advice.

Comment on this