Gilmore: Bank probe would be priority

A BANKING inquiry will be a priority for the Government if voters give parliamentary members tougher investigative powers in next month’s referendum, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has said.

The Labour leader indicated that a banking inquiry would be the first investigation launched if the referendum passed, and it would see bankers questioned by TDs and senators.

Earlier this week, Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin replied to Dublin academic Colum Kenny’s appeal to probe the reckless lending habits of banks, saying politicians would be in a position to carry out a banking inquiry in “a public forum in a robust, cost efficient and democratic manner”. But it depends on the outcome of the October 27 vote.