I thank the 18 Senators who contributed. I join Senators who paid tribute to the late Eamonn Campbell on his sad passing. We will all remember him for his part in The Dubliners. Senators Nash and Black paid eloquent tribute to him; he was a very fine human being. On behalf of all Senators and of the Fine Gael group, I extend our deepest sympathies to his family.

I agree with Senators Davitt, Craughwell, Murnane O'Connor, Gallagher and Reilly on tracker mortgages. The behaviour of the banks is nothing short of scandalous. The banks have a responsibility treat their customers in a due and proper manner by refunding them and giving them recompense. We all have friends, family members or people in our own communities who have lost everything in terms of physical health and well-being and financial loss. What the banks did to our country is absolutely appalling. As I said yesterday, the Government has lost patience with the banks. I would say to Senator Davitt that the Taoiseach has made matters very clear. I am not sure whether the Senator read the Taoiseach's remarks.

This tracker mortgage scandal has been going on for ten years. Fine Gael has been in power for the majority of that period.

Allow the Leader to conclude.

I did not intend to be political in respect of this matter but if Senator Davitt wants to have a debate about his party's stewardship of the banks, I would be happy to facilitate that any day.

This did not happen on our watch.

I remind Senator Davitt of one thing: regardless of whether he likes it, the banking system collapsed when his party's regime was in power.

It was due to the same guys who are still there.

The fundamental point is that we are all united in our condemnation of the banks and their failure to look after people and treat them fairly.

Agreed.

That is why the Government is bringing the banks in next week and it is the reason the Taoiseach made his very forceful comments. I understand that the Central Bank is independent, but if it needs more power, let us provide it. I am happy to support any action on behalf of citizens who have been treated appallingly by the banks. As a country, we bailed them out and they have an obligation and a duty to work with people, whether businesspeople or farmers who are going about their daily work, to maintain businesses and create jobs, or the private householder who has been absolutely decimated by the banks in some cases. I would be very happy to have a debate on that in the House and to support any measure to address the issue.

I am disappointed that Senator Davitt considered the Taoiseach going out to thank ESB and local authority workers a PR stunt when it was in fact a fine gesture by him to express appreciation and gratitude to the men and women who have been out since last Monday to clear up our streets and communities. It was a very good gesture for the Head of Government to go out and thank them in person. I am sure the Senator agrees.