I propose to comment on the banking inquiry as it is turning into a fiasco. The Government has treated the Seanad and democratic institutions of the State in a reprehensible manner. A decision was made and the Government decided to change the rules and move the goalposts because it did not like it. If we are to be treated in this fashion, we have no place being here. It is a disgrace and we should go home and close the doors. What is the point in having a democratic institution if it is to be treated in this fashion? The Government wanted a Nuremburg style trial. It now has a stacked deck, which will result in a show trial whose outcome will not be upheld by anyone. The Government has made a complete and utter balls of this; it is a mess.

That is unparliamentary language. Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

No, I wanted to make a comment. The Senators on the other side may call themselves democrats but they are à la carte democrats. This proposal is a complete joke.

Calm is needed on this matter. We are engaging in a blame game. I am not part of this.

The Senator will vote for the motion.

My attitude is that the banking inquiry must find out how decisions were made and ensure that similar decisions are never made again. The inquiry is about ensuring taxpayers-----

No, that is what it should be about.

I did not interrupt previous speakers and I ask that they do not interrupt me.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

The Senator knows that is not what the inquiry will be about.

Please allow Senator Burke to continue without interruption.

We must ensure that, as a result of the banking inquiry, taxpayers will never again have to pick up the tab for bad decisions taken by people in the financial world.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?