Well, perhaps the Times Online misquoted him:

‘Dermot Ahern, the [Irish] Justice Minister, said: “Legislation is in place to bring to justice those who may have played hard and fast with the financial security of this country”.’

There’s nothing wrong with playing hard and fast. What Ahern should have said was “fast and loose” but since the border between legal and illegal banking practice is so thin as to be meaningless – well, it’s a mistake anyone – and certainly a politician – could have made.