Mr. Richie Boucher:

We are not aware of any such request from the Government. However, I should also point out that as we have disclosed, the investment the State has made in Bank of Ireland is €4.8 billion. We repay investment in our businesses in support for the economy in hard cash of €3.9 billion. As for the taxpayer, we are very grateful for that support and throughout my four years, my colleagues have constantly heard me stating we must reduce the risk to the taxpayer and must reward and repay in cash. That is the most tangible way we can do that. That is the most tangible demonstration. If we look at our particular assets and the need for those assets to contribute to the bank in the future, as well as our ability to continue to reward and repay the taxpayer, to use the specific example, we need those assets. Our College Green branch is our largest branch in the country.

It is a key branch, in particular, for Trinity College. It is our most profitable branch. It is also a cash centre. Therefore, it is a commercial asset. We are a privately-owned company which is repaying the taxpayer.