Anglo Irish Bank tapes
Senator Leyden seeks a comprehensive debate on the Anglo tapes, the Government’s banking-bailout decisions, and the release of Trichet’s letter to Brian Lenihan. He also calls for the Special Criminal Court to try bankers, prompting brief interventions about accountability and prosecutions.
Senator David Norris looks to be in rude good health and looks great.
As I was away last week attending the plenary session of the Council of Europe last week, I was not in a position to ask the Leader for a debate on the disclosures made in the Anglo Irish Bank tapes which are receiving enormous coverage around the world. It was embarrassing when in Strasbourg last week to see the coverage the disclosures were receiving in the Financial Times and other newspapers and the way Ireland was being portrayed as a cowboy country. It has certainly not done the country any good. I do not know why Independent Newspapers published them. While it has been beneficial for the newspaper, boosting its sales and helping to resolve its financial difficulties, it has not helped the image of the country.
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It only exposed the truth. Should we withdraw it?
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Getting at the truth is more important.
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There was no axis of collusion between Anglo Irish Bank and the late Brian Lenihan or the former Taoiseach, Brian Cowen. It seems to have been missed that in 2008 the Taoiseach, then leader of Fine Gael, and the Minister for Finance, then his party’s spokesman on finance, both joined in and supported the bailout of the banks.
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I know the Cathaoirleach is neutral.
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I do have a question for the Leader. Will he set aside time for a comprehensive debate on the issues in question? I want the Government to produce Jean-Claude Trichet’s letter to the late Brian Lenihan when he threatened him on behalf of the European Central Bank. I find it quite extraordinary that the Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael is washing his hands like Pontius Pilate when it comes to the commitment he gave to save Anglo Irish Bank in 2008.
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It will be very difficult for any trial to go ahead unless the Special Criminal Court is used to try the bankers.
I am calling on the Government-----
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It is already included in the legislation.
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It has been in power for two years, but it has done nothing-----
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I am calling on the Special Criminal Court to be convened.