Irish Nationwide - Put an end to bank greed

FINANCE Minister Brian Lenihan is to meet the board of Irish Nationwide later this week and he should have a short agenda.

Top of his list should be the return of a €1 million bonus paid to the bank’s veteran boss Michael Fingleton just weeks after the introduction of the deposit guarantee scheme last September.

The next item must be Mr Fingleton’s departure date. The possibility of a severe levy on his €28m pension fund must be explored as well.

At this point in the sorry saga of Irish banking it is difficult to be shocked by the arrogance and contempt shown by senior figures but Mr Fingleton, whose bank touted for business on the back of the taxpayers’ guarantee, has managed that.

Such indifference and greed must be confronted and those who behave in this appalling way must be removed from public life.

The sooner the better.