'Action not anger' at banks meeting
SENATOR TWOMEY'S BANKING CRISIS MEETING
Wednesday March 03 2010
ACTION, and not anger, was the watchword at last Thursday night's meeting in Wexford regarding the banking crisis.
Senator Liam Twomey called the 'Town Hall' style meeting in the Talbot Hotel to allow people air their views on the crisis, which will be examined by a Government enquiry later this year.
However, the Rosslare resident said that the 50 or so people in attendance were not there primarily to express their anger at the mess which the banks have landed the taxpayer in, but to talk about what happens from here.
'It was clear that people want to move forward and see some hope for the future,' said Dr Twomey.
'It was a very good meeting and I was quite surprised by aspects of it. It wasn't just people giving out about the banks and how we ended up in this mess. People really want to engage on this issue. 'They know how we ended up here; they haven't forgotten the people who got them here, but they were anxious to see some hope for the future and have this messed sorted out. People want to see action now,' said Dr Twomey.
However, the Fine Gael Senator found that he too had questions to answer, particularly what he and his party could offer in terms of a solution. It may have been his meeting, but he wasn't spared. Nor were Fine Gael.
'I got a good grilling myself, because they wanted to make sure that, as a person representing Wexford, I will continue pushing the case to try and get this sorted out,' he said.
He was also called onto to explain what Fine Gael would do differently, if given the opportunity by the electorate.
However, the two groups that most people wanted answers from were not represented at the meeting – the Government and the banks.
All the banks declined to send an official representative along to the Talbot, despite an invitation to do so. Dr Twomey said people feel like they are hiding behind NAMA and the banking enquiry and shirking their responsibility for the country's current woes.
Dr Twomey's secretary, Sandra Lacey, took detailed notes of the meeting and a report is being compiled, which the Senator said will be forwarded to the banking enquiry and Minister Brian Lenihan.
It will also contain the views of the many people who could not attend the meeting, but communicated their views to Dr Twomey via email and other means. He said he will also make copies available to any members of the public who want one.
- Conor CULLEN
