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Joe Higgins Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland

'I've convicted the system over and over': Joe Higgins is relishing the banking inquiry

The Socialist Party TD has been nominated to serve on the inquiry by the Dáil’s Technical Group this afternoon.

Updated 3.30pm 

SOCIALIST PARTY TD Joe Higgins is to replace the independent deputy Stephen Donnelly on the banking inquiry, it was confirmed this afternoon.

The Dáil Technical Group of independent and small party TDs voted to nominate Higgins at its weekly meeting in Leinster House just before lunch.

It follows Donnelly’s decision to quit the Oireachtas committee on Sunday citing concerns over the government’s control of the inquiry’s terms of reference and overall agenda.

Speaking outside Leinster House this afternoon, Higgins said he would seek to expand the remit of the inquiry to cover the “blowing up of the property bubble and the speculation and profiteering that accompanied it”.
https://vine.co/v/MIxOM2JUXib

He said that the role of the political authorities, the European Central Bank and the Troika must all be investigated, as should the role of the present government “in continuing the policy of bailout and austerity”.

Higgins, who will retire from the Dáil after his current term ends, is a TD for Dublin West and has previously served as an MEP for the capital.

Speaking to TheJournal.ie yesterday, he expressed deep reservations about the government’s control of the investigation.

However he said there would be a “key benefit” in holding public hearings as it would allow people involved in the bank crisis to be questioned and for the public to make up their own minds.

“I think there’s strong merit in that argument,” he said.

https://vine.co/v/MIxeqXEL6OM

Speaking today, Higgins said that he respected Stephen Donnelly’s decision to quit the probe but said it would be a “huge dereliction of my duty not to participate” given he was “one of the only voices in Dáil Eireann who constantly excoriated what was happening”.

He added: “Now that I would not put myself in the position of being able to ask questions on behalf of the majority of the people out there – when I reflected on that, it wasn’t a choice.”

Asked if he was concerned about failing a ‘bias test’ given his criticism of bankers in the past, Higgins responded robustly: “I have convicted the system over and over again that quadrupled the price of a home in ten years at enormous cost to ordinary people.”

Asked if he felt that the two government senators who were added to the inquiry last week should be removed, he said it is “immaterial”.

He added: “They’re all part of the political establishment and that’s my main problem with the inquiry. I would want a committee of inquiry made of citizens.”

Peter Mathews: We should hire the national basketball arena for the banking inquiry

 

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64 Comments
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    Mute Kevin Carey
    Favourite Kevin Carey
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    May 5th 2016, 10:30 PM

    Really don’t understand the constant knocking of Robbie Keane. An Irish legend. His International scoring record won’t be touched for a long time. A great servant to Irish football.

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    Mute ken
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    May 5th 2016, 10:43 PM

    Why is Keane a Legend????your probably the only one who thinks that.

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    Mute sparky
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    May 5th 2016, 10:48 PM

    Ken..your hot water bottle is ready when you’re finished your hot chocolate..I’ve left your pjs at the bottom of your bed.sweet dreams and hope your looking forward to seeing zootopia tommmmorowwww.

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    Mute Kevin Carey
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    May 5th 2016, 10:53 PM

    Clearly not by the thumbs. 67 international goals. Incredible goal scorer. Do your homework.

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    Mute Rusty Nuts
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    May 5th 2016, 11:18 PM

    Nah, I do and a lot more I would imagine. Great goal scoring record for his country.

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    Mute Sinead Hanley
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    May 6th 2016, 12:39 AM

    Good man robbie. He is forever surprising kids. Remember the little guy on the late late toy show?? Ah sweet

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    Mute Tom Collins
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    May 6th 2016, 12:45 AM

    Robbie Keane is an Irish Legend. Ray Houghton is a god

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    Mute John Ward
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    May 6th 2016, 2:30 AM

    @ken: Obviously beyond your ken!

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    Mute Andrew Corcoran
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    May 5th 2016, 10:02 PM

    Another dream come true for Robbie who said he’s always wanted to surprise a kid on the Ellen de Generis show.

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    Mute Aimoo
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    May 5th 2016, 10:20 PM

    Very original.

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    Mute TellingItAsItIs
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    May 5th 2016, 10:22 PM

    Did he spit or trip as he walked out?

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    Mute Andrew Corcoran
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    May 5th 2016, 10:36 PM

    Neither, he did his little tumble and finger guns!

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    Mute Donnacha Bhoicaire
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    May 5th 2016, 10:50 PM

    Can’t knock his commitment and his goal scoring record. Wonder do the same idiots above remember 2002 World Cup , Quinn’s header on and Robbies half volley to get a late goal against the Germans.

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    Mute michael
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    May 6th 2016, 7:59 AM

    My favourite ever moment while watching Ireland play :)

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    Mute sparky
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    May 5th 2016, 10:07 PM

    I just hope Robbie turns up at the Euros..rolls back the years and surprises me..c’mon keaneo.

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    Mute Peter Rice
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    May 6th 2016, 1:05 AM

    If you thought Irish football was bad over the last 15 just try and imagine how bad it would be without Robbie.He’s bailed are arses out more times than I can remember.Absolutely an Irish legend.

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    Mute jenni
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    May 5th 2016, 10:10 PM

    That was lovely.

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    Mute Tweety McTweeter
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    May 5th 2016, 10:26 PM

    The kids name is Kai Langer. I’m sure there’s a joke somewhere there but I’m far too classy to make it.

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    Mute Níamh Hurleÿ
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    May 5th 2016, 10:32 PM

    Aww that’s lovely

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    Mute Patrick Norton
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    May 5th 2016, 11:40 PM

    It has langer 11 on the back of his shirt ha!

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    Mute Assel Dannourah
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    May 5th 2016, 9:56 PM

    they say you should never meet your hereos

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    Mute Louis Jacob
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    May 5th 2016, 10:33 PM

    Won’t be touched ever…

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    Mute Welshhibby
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    May 5th 2016, 10:05 PM

    I’m surprised the kid knew who he was.

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    Mute Phil O' Meara
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    May 5th 2016, 10:08 PM

    Robbie “unidentified fan” Keane.

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    Mute Owen Slattery
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    May 6th 2016, 1:20 AM

    LA Galaxy captain, voted MLS Player of the Year, finished runner up prior to that, ~100 goals in 150 games. If the kid was to know anybody in the MLS, it would be Keane.

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    Mute Michael Kenny
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    May 5th 2016, 10:43 PM

    One for everybody in the audience!

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    Mute Cal McLaughlin
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    May 5th 2016, 10:18 PM

    She looks a bit butch.

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    Mute sparky
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    May 5th 2016, 10:24 PM

    Cal..you trying to stir again.

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    Mute Tony Canning
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    May 5th 2016, 10:49 PM

    Yup, five it a few posts and he’ll be all westboro Baptist….

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    Mute Celtic_Horizon
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    May 6th 2016, 7:25 AM

    Legend

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    Mute Debi Nikita
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    May 6th 2016, 7:11 AM

    What a cute kid.. Loved the way he closed his eyes as he did that song. He was super chuffed that he got to meet his hero’s all over again. How cool was that! Great show..

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    Mute Diane Cauldwell
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    May 6th 2016, 10:11 AM

    Kai Langer brilliant!!

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    Mute Helena Reed
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