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Updated 22.02
THE BANKS AND the investigations into them were the top of the agenda during the latest round of Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil this morning.
The Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams questioned the government’s methods of investigating the banks, in the wake of the Anglo tape scandal.
Adams said the “most important inquiry here was a criminal inquiry” and questioned what the coalition has planned to do “about the shameful behaviour of the untouchables in the banking system”.
He also put to the Taoiseach that the gardaí had been investigating this case “for almost five years and still no one had been held accountable”.
“The state have also bailed out Irish Nationwide, Irish Life and Permanent, EBS, AIB and Bank of Ireland,” said Adams, and he asked where the tapes were for them.
“I dunno,” said Kenny. “I did ask for all files when I got this job… And there are none… That’s why we need this parliamentary inquiry”.
Kenny told Adams that the inquiry, which is due to begin in the autumn “cannot convict people. The courts will have to do that”.
The Fianna Fáil leader, Michael Martin, in equal measure, criticised the government’s decision to hold an Oireachtas committee inquiry and the coalition’s relationship with the banks.
“The government is on the side of the banks… The government also trusts the banks,” he said. “Howlin’s investigation doesn’t have the power to hold bankers to account.”
“What the people of the country want is justice to be seen to be done,” the Taoiseach Enda Kenny responded. He continued that an “inquiry is one element – a criminal court case is something else entirely”.
People already rejected a referendum that would have given more power to politicians to conduct inquiries into the banks and Kenny said: “I accept the outcome of the referendum”.
However, the Fine Gael leader has not ruled out the idea of asking the country to vote again.
“In the autumn we will have a referendum on the abolition of the Seanad… and we will give consideration to include other referenda”.
“You [Fianna Fáil] had an opportunity to investigate the banks back in 2010 and you created a secret investigation with no names and no one was held accountable,” said Kenny, who says the upcoming inquiry will be more transparent.
Originally posted 13.00 today
Told the wife I booked a table for 7 30. She was excited and got all dolled up. Seemed disappointed when we got there though, I thought she liked snooker.
@Brian Dunne: I thought my wife liked football and didn’t mind me drinking beer. Simple mistake to make.
@Brian Dunne: Cue the jokes about ‘that sinking feeling’
@Larry Betts: …and which colour to go for!
@Pat Barry: Kissing the pink for the day that’s in it
Many couples have to work long hours to pay mortgages that they sometimes have to schedule “Dates” to go somewhere nice and organise babysitter if they have children. It’s normal.
@thomas molloy: I am confused why the mortgage is mentioned? Is this relevant to a date? I mean cant one have a date night at home, feed the kids first, put them to bed and cook a nice meal to enjoy together. Doesnt have to be expensive just had to be a priority.
@Dramafree 2023: you’d need a bloody mortgage to go on a date these days, amirite fellas?
@Setanta O’Toole: No. A walk on a beach is free.
@Setanta O’Toole: especially on valentines
Journalists noticed an empty seat is an otherwise packed stadium for a derby and got curious. They asked the man next to it did he know why ?
“Oh, it was for my wife”
“She couldn’t make it to the match ?”
“Unfortunately she died”
” So sorry to hear that, very sad. You should have brought a friend to share the the experience, no ; maybe ?”
“No, I couldn’t do that ; they’re all at the Funeral.”
@offside again: ah the auld ones are….. the auld ones!!
This website is serious garbage lads, my goodness.
@Carl Valderrama: Took you more than 6 months to realise that?.
Ah ha ha….all the perpetually single blokes with lots to say. Hope you all got some Nivea hand-cream for Valentine’s.
I meant to tell her Darling when I look into your eyes time just simply stands still but I stumbled at the last minute and said jaysus your face would only stop a bleedin clock.
@Róisín Flemping Bunt-Himmler: Travellers have influence?
@Róisín Flemping Bunt-Himmler: Which Wards are they?
She was good from far …….but yet far from good!
Love is in the air….. apparently
In the words of Donald Trump: What a st##d question!
@Andrew Kenny: st###d
@gav0kelly: flatulence, that’s why the smellies are at it again
@gav0kelly: Did you know county councils have a caravan loan scheme specially for travellers.
If their just friends
@Francisco O brien: You typed four words and still managed to get the grammar wrong.
What’s actually mad at the moment is the amount of lads I know that don’t want to get in relationships is getting more common and by that I don’t mean staying single sleeping around. Just avoiding contact with women altogether and having peace of mind and freedom very surprised by the trend that’s growing now.
My husband and myself still go on dates after 34 years of marriage. We make an effort to dress well and have dinner out once a month. It’s important to still make an effort for each other.
If in relationship for long time love each other going to find time to do stiff and so shouldn’t the once off rip of costs of valentine’s day. As know especially in hospitality sector ripoed off on ordinary day. Love love but we usually go out week before or something valentine’s day is money racket
@Róisín Flemping Bunt-Himmler: No wonder insurance companies riddle us.
Nonsense carry on, she should have been barred.
How on earth can you be in a committed relationship and still be shopping around? Catch a grip.!!!
Anything to stipe her from cooking!
@Gavin Smartr: stop
@Kieran Conroy: yeah. Get with it. Date r.pe jokes are where it’s at.
@Alan: apologies. Reply was to Larry Smiths hilarious joke.
@Alan: Exactly that. A JOKE. You wokists don’t have a sense of humour it seems.
@Kieran Conroy: That’s incorrect. Using the made-i up word ‘wokists’ is hilarious. Hilariously stu pid.
@Jack Hayes: Are you offended Jack? Oh dear, you appear to be a fully paid up member of the wokist club…
Yes. It’s called a date night.
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