Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

WATCH: There was a brief moment of hilarity at the banking inquiry earlier

It got fierce exciting for a minute there.

THE BANKING INQUIRY has, bar one or two exceptions, been pretty boring stuff for the last six months.

The idea of a parliamentary inquiry into a crisis that took place some years ago and which has already been the subject of much scrutiny hasn’t got pulses racing among the general public.

That’s why we’re quite thankful for moments like today when former Department of Finance secretary general John Moran was before the inquiry committee.

As he delivered his opening statement, Moran had to stop as a phone went off with a rather obscure ringtone. Senator Seán Barrett was quickly identified as the culprit and fumbled to cancel the call.

But seconds later it was off again.

As Moran quipped that it might be his mum, Barrett practically ran out of the room to deal with the persistent caller.

That prompted cries of “senator, senator…” before the inquiry had to be suspended briefly…

Video TheJournal.ie / YouTube

Barrett later apologised for the “electronic interruption”.

Read: ‘People want the drama of overpaid bankers and reckless developers, but it’s not that simple’

WATCH: The curious case of the financial regulator and the branded golf balls

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Author
Hugh O'Connell
View 22 comments
Close
22 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds