Public anger is not directed solely at the banks

SPEAKING at the Michael Collins commemoration ceremony at Béal na mBláth, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said he understood the public “incomprehension and anger” at the vast sums of money being pumped into the banking sector, particularly Anglo Irish Bank.

I doubt if public anger at the vast sums of money pumped into the banking sector, especially Anglo, can be lessened at least until all those responsible for the mess we are in, including members of the Government, have been punished for their actions — or lack of action — that allowed a selfish and greedy minority to wreck the economy.

However, public incomprehension might be reduced to some degree if Mr Lenihan ignored the requirements of the international banking fraternity to keep everything secret and explained to the public in detail exactly why Anglo had to be bailed out at a huge long-term cost to the public.

While he is explaining this matter, Mr Lenihan might also explain exactly why, when the Government had no problem pushing a bill through the Dáil to break the contracts of public service workers and cut their wages, along with social welfare and other public services, the Government is not willing to claw back the huge pensions and bonuses of those in the banking sector and higher public service who failed to do the jobs they were paid for — a failure that in some cases helped to create the huge debt that the public must now bear.

Brian Abbott

‘Glencairn’

Bishopstown Road

Cork