Mattie McGrath condemns bill as favouring vulture funds
Mattie McGrath spoke in the Dáil on 30 July 2020, opposing a provision in the bill that he said benefits vulture funds and banks and lacks a sunset clause. He accused the Minister of refusing to listen and described the inclusion of the measure late in the legislative process as scandalous.
Main accusation
McGrath told the chamber that the contested section appears to favour vulture funds and give them preferential treatment. He argued this preferential treatment has been evident since the crash and criticised the government for protecting banks and vulture funds "to save the banks and the bankers and the vultures fund. That's why."
Demand for a sunset clause
He pressed for a clear sunset clause, saying every other COVID-related measure included a definite end and that this provision should be treated the same. McGrath said a sunset clause is vital given doubts about how the section was introduced and the reliance on hearsay evidence.
Concerns about the courts and evidence
McGrath raised concerns about courtroom practice, recounting days in court where he felt justice was not fully heard and where barristers and judges behaved in ways he found troubling. He rejected the Minister's claim that the measure came from judicial or official sources, saying he did not believe that explanation.
Timing and parliamentary process
He criticised the timing of the inclusion, saying it was inserted in the last hours before the Dáil went on summer holidays and accusing the government of trickery to advance the measure. He urged colleagues to recognise the gravity of the legislative change and to demand proper scrutiny.
Tone and conclusion
Throughout his remarks McGrath used strong language, calling the legislation despicable and scandalous and urging the Minister and backbenchers to reflect on their actions. He concluded by saying the measure should not stand without further consideration and a clear sunset clause.
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Deputy Matty McGrath, I'm trying to get as many people as in and give the Minister time to reply to the points raised and come for a second round. The Minister ran out of time earlier, whether it's deliberately or whatever, to address the most important parts of the bill. We do indulge us. We got an admittance from the Minister that she wasn't going to listen to anyone here. I was going to report to all the sections of the bill. I want to support this amendment. A Sunset Clause is vital, especially when it's dubious how this section appeared in here at all to deal with the evidence. And evidence that's, you know, hearsay evidence. And the Minister is saying that this all came from the judiciary and it came from, you know, officials in the Parliament of Justice and whatever. I don't believe that. I don't believe this for 10 years. Because since the crash here, the Vulture Funds, Minister Newnan welcomed them. And they have been getting preferential treatment. And I've been in the courts on countless days. And justice, unheard is justice denied. You couldn't hear what's going on with the barristers and with the carry-on and the judges whispering above. And misfortunate defenders and shaking their feet and being told to stand up and speak up. That's a shame has gone on down the courts. And we're giving them license here tonight in this legislation to do what they like and carry on. And they were doing it during the whole pandemic. And including this bill is shocking. And Minister, your backbenchers, maybe not dual, but there's been a fall backbenchers, I heard them. Oh, I'm speaking against it. I mean, you're all over the shop here. I tell you, there's no idea if it was another week or two, you'd collapse the government before you'd be gone out on the holidays. I'm making them. But this is scandalous legislation. And it's subfraterally at its best. Trickery and blagarding to get away from the vultures because they have you and the banks have you in hock to them. Whatever kind of homage you pay to them, whether it's your European masters or whatever. It's despicable legislation and you're including this in the din. And no sunset clause. We have a sunset clause and every piece of legislation we pass for the COVID. Every piece of it has a definite end and maybe we can extend it each time. And we have nothing for this. Because you want to save the banks and the bankers and the vultures fund. That's why. No other reason. And stick it in here tonight in the last hours of the last session of the Dáil before we go on summer holidays. It's an outrage. Not more an outrage. And you should hang your heads in shame. Go back to God. Thank you.
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