Banking inquiry testimony - Where are the laws to curb banks?

THE banking inquiry hearings of the last two days have reminded us, like old, slightly embarassing wedding photographs, that the past is not always as we might wish it to be.

They reminded us that even with the benefit of hindsight, that great, uncompromising leveller, that some realities stand no matter how we try to shout them down, no matter how assertive we are about revising history — or no matter how delusional we choose to be.

Wednesday’s star-struck performance by former finance minister Charlie McCreevy was, frankly, cringe-making. His refusal to accept that any of his policies might have contributed to our downfall and his preposterous self-imposed veto on discussing matters that arose after he left the Dáíl for Brussels, all point to the kind of self awareness more based on wishful thinking than helpful honesty. It is hard to remember a more skewed analysis at any of our public inquiries.