Seanad can play role in bank probe
The Irish nation is one with a sense of fair play, always wanting to give the benefit of the doubt. The initial conversations could have been taken out of context and peppered with gallows humour. However, after having listened to the latest revelations, it is clear that the cabal at Anglo led by David Drumm, had every intention of making the taxpayer pick up the tab. They had scant regard for the Government and its people. The Government of the day were hoodwinked into providing the blanket bank guarantee and the consequences of that decision will be felt for generations.
Austerity has affected and had a deep and lasting impact on society and it’s not good. The question now is: What do we do with this new information?
Clearly there is a need for a banking inquiry. Ireland and its people need closure and to draw a line under this despicable episode in our history. And we also need assurances that nothing like this can ever happen again. An expeditious inquiry will need to take place with consequences for those found guilty of wrong-doing. What this country does not need, nor will sanction, is a lengthy process like previous tribunals, where only the legal eagles benefited and the main protagonists walked away to enjoy life with generous pension entitlements.
The Oireachtas and, most notably, the Seanad, should be utilised to conduct this. The main argument for disbanding the Seanad seems to centre on economic concerns and we know why these arose. No better impetus needed, then, for the Seanad to conduct a forensic analysis of the circumstances surrounding the banking crisis.
This could be the Seanad’s raison d’etre or its swan song. Either way those responsible will not be singing ‘Deutschland’, but they will be singing our tune, and that’ll ring nicely in our ears — for a change!
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