Renua leader Lucinda Creighton has pledged to overhaul white collar crime laws if her party is part of the next Government.
Speaking at the MacGill Summer School in Co Donegal, the Dublin South East TD said the financial crisis was caused by weak legislation, weak regulation - and a cowardly political system that was "all things to all people".
She says outlawing reckless lending would be a 'red line' issue for her party - and would go some way towards preventing the 'culture of greed' that led to the crisis from returning.
Lucinda Creighton says gardaí should be empowered to tackle white collar criminals:
It is the 35th year of the MacGill Summer School, which sees discussions and debates taking place until this Friday in the small village of Glenties.
Government and Opposition politicians will take part in discussions with economists and representatives from public bodies.
Irish Water, the health service, and the upcoming General Election are among the other topics which will be discussed over the course of the week.