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Seanad
‹ Order of Business (Resumed)

Proposed banking inquiry

Summary

Senator Mullen criticises proposals to revive Oireachtas inquiries into the banking crisis, arguing that voters had rejected politicians conducting such investigations.

To follow what others have said on the Anglo Irish Bank tapes, I was astounded to hear the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, suggest on Sunday that he would be willing to contemplate re-running the referendum on Oireachtas committees of inquiry. The people gave their clear answer on that matter and deemed that politicians were not the appropriate persons to carry out investigations of this kind. I wonder what the fixation among some elements of the Government is with that. Perhaps it is to distract the nation and politicians with a banking inquiry when the real and important work must be done by the Garda and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement.

I acknowledge the good work which has been done by the Government during the Presidency. I am loth to congratulate the Taoiseach, however, on the very day that the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill comes to a vote in the House. The person I congratulate is Matt Lyons, a member of Sligo County Council who, to borrow Deputy Creighton's words, stepped outside the groupthink and led the local authority to vote its disapproval of dangerous and unjust legislation which, for the first time, targets the life of innocent children.

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It would be a shame if that were not our focus on this dark day in politics. It is an indictment.

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Can I acknowledge Leitrim County Council?

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I acknowledge Leitrim County Council also. It is very notable that, nationally, many local representatives from the Government parties have expressed their concern on this issue. It is the party leaderships of Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, the Labour Party and Fine Gael who have driven an agenda-----

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And the Constitution.

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Paddy Burke An Cathaoirleach Fine Gael

Senator Mullen, without interruption. Does Senator Mullen have a question for the Leader?

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And the Supreme Court.

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