Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Moran talked about the possibility of weaning the banks off the bank guarantee at the start of next year. The guarantee runs out at the end of this year. I presume, therefore, the advice to the Minister will be to bring forward legislation to extend the guarantee. We know the banks pay the State as a result of the guarantee. Last year one of the banks paid in excess of €400 million. In regard to its budget preparations, what would be the amount of money the Department would have to factor in as a loss if there is no longer a guarantee? Has Mr. Moran any other proposals to levy the banks if the guarantee no longer exists? Could another levy be introduced to try to recoup some of the money in the meantime?