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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

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    Mute Harry Meany
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    Mar 16th 2018, 8:28 AM

    What a classy bar in the living room, Jack Duckworth eat your heart out chuck!

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    Mute Brian Murphy
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    Mar 18th 2018, 10:31 AM

    @Harry Meany: The house screams Celtic Tiger – big, brash and not very attractive.

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    Mute Bingobango
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    Mar 16th 2018, 8:40 AM

    LED overload

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    Mute Cathal
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    Mar 16th 2018, 9:35 AM

    Observation deck? Picture shows a balcony with a cheap telescope

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    Mute mark kelly
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    Mar 16th 2018, 9:07 AM

    Previous owner a ufo spotter I bet!

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    Mute Barbara Edwards
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    Mar 16th 2018, 11:17 PM

    I often wonder, in order to use the word ‘overlook’ what’s the rule of thumb on distance from said object?

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    Mute John Walsh
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    Mar 18th 2018, 5:34 PM

    Is that the same telescope in the bedroom and then moved to the balcony

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    Mute Desmond Lyons
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    Mar 18th 2018, 7:18 PM

    That bar is revolting!

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    Mute Rory Browne
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    Mar 18th 2018, 6:27 PM

    Yuck

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    Mute The Irish Bull
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    Mar 18th 2018, 10:46 AM

    Porn.

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