SEANAD:REACTING TO criticism of the impending loss of 2,500 jobs in AIB, Minister for Finance Michael Noonan said the downsizing of the bank, which had "gone too big", was a normal enough process and he hoped it would be done successfully and without too much aggravation. The package on offer looked reasonable.

Martin Conway (FG) contended that ordinary bank staff were being scapegoated for what had happened in the past, while the “delinquents” who were still running the bank and receiving enormous salaries had not been held accountable.

Tony Mulcahy (FG) said he agreed with Thomas Byrne (FF) that the senior managements in these organisations should be removed

The Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2012, which enables Irish ratification of the changes to the Greek loan facility, was passed.

Urging its acceptance, Mr Noonan said there was a need to recognise that there was a significant contrast between our condition and that of Greece. It was particularly encouraging that CSO figures had shown a 10,000 rise in the employment numbers here in the last quarter.

Jim Walsh (FF) said he would predict that the findings of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland in relation to the RTÉ programme concerning Father Kevin Reynolds would be as anaemic as its report on the treatment of presidential candidate Seán Gallagher by the national broadcaster. The authority’s adjudication on that matter had been as minimalist as it could have been.

David Norris (Ind) congratulated Mr Gallagher on the decision in his favour from the authority.

He disagreed with Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte that what had happened was a mere mistake. The context in which last year’s presidential contest had been fought was “poisoned”.