It would be wrong to state, as Senator Leyden did “in fairness to AIB”, that it came out with its hands up, admitted everything and behaved well. That is not the case because AIB behaved disgracefully. It misled the public even though it had been caught red-handed. It put the figure of €14 million into the public arena, but it was forced within days to raise the figure to €25 million. Continue reading ‘Our Wonderful Banking System - Just Not for Customers or Shareholders’
Our Wonderful Banking System - Just Not for Customers or Shareholders
Published May 19th, 2004 in Bank Abuses, Consumer AffairsPunish Banks whose Profits are being Boosted by Illegal Activity
Published May 7th, 2004 in Bank Abuses, Consumer AffairsWhat can happen after the AIB foreign exchange scandal? No prosecutions can be taken through the Consumer Credit Act. That is one of the disgraceful omissions in this particular saga and there is need for legislation in this area. It is ridiculous that although the law has been broken, no prosecutions can be taken. Continue reading ‘Punish Banks whose Profits are being Boosted by Illegal Activity’
Making the Seanad More Relevant
Published May 6th, 2004 in Other IssuesSenators complain that they receive too little media coverage, but this carries a message for the Seanad.
We should examine the reasons we in the Seanad do not get the sort of coverage we would like to get. It is not the case that the House does not do important work, because it is involved in important and effective work.
But the media does not necessarily cover matters that are important or bodies that work effectively. The media is governed by other, more immediate, considerations.
RTE reports the proceedings of the House, but I contend that it does so because it has to cover us, rather than because it wants to cover us. It broadcasts Seanad reports late at night because nobody is watching late at night. RTE is obliged to cover the Dáil and Seanad because it has a public service obligation.
In the context of the ongoing reform of the Seanad, we should examine the possibility of making the House more relevant, more appealing and more immediate in its powers and effect.
