Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to welcome Dr. Ahearne and Professor McHale to the committee and thank them for their contributions. Dr. Ahearne mentioned highly intrusive oversight of draft national budgets. Considering all that has happened in the EU and within our system, do both witnesses think this is necessary? Dr. Ahearne also referred to eurobonds. Given the German concerns regarding this, how realistic is the notion of eurobonds? Perhaps both witnesses could answer that question.

As regards the four presidents' report, there is a discussion on the European deposit insurance scheme, which it says would strengthen the credibility of existing arrangements and serve as an important assurance that eligible deposits of all credit institutions are sufficiently insured. I would like to hear the witnesses comment on that point and how important something like that would be.