Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

They are the people who should capitalise the bank. The bank should not come near citizens again. It should get tough with the people who deserve it not the little people who are paying 4.35% variable interest rates.

It is very simple; it is writing down debt. Let us just call it that. If I lend a person money and he or she cannot pay it back but they are doing their best – hand on heart, and their prospects are whatever they are - I will write it down. When Dunnes Stores buy in stock of the wrong colour, shape, size or material it does not say in the long-term economic cycle it will drift the dresses, garments or children’s clothes into the market over a period, it writes it down straight away and if it does not it is a sign that it does not have enough capital because it means that it is not doing its business.