Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Recapitalisation arises as a result of the nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank in that specific case and because of the investments taxpayers have made in other covered institutions. Those issues are separate from the Budget Statement to be made by the Minister for Finance today. We need a functioning banking system in order to have a proper economy. That is a continuing challenge for the Government. The real issue for the country today is to take the necessary steps to confirm, at home and abroad, our capacity to manage our affairs and take the decisions necessary to reduce costs in our economy.

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