Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The problem with a hypothetical discussion like this is, as I have already said, there is no advice from the Central Bank that there will be any capital requirement. The longer we discuss the issue, it gives credence to the theory that there will be a capital requirement. We will be off again with another, "'We'll all be rooned," said Hanrahan, "Before the year is out."' It is not like that. The Irish banks are strong. There will be a round of stress testing in the autumn. The advice from the Central Bank is that has not yet identified a requirement for additional capital, but of course there is always the possibility that additional capital will be required where we will align ourselves with the European norm. If there is a capital requirement, in the first instance, private funds and profit sharing will be the way to go.

To develop the conversation further, Deputy, questions such as "do I think?" only give rise to speculation that would be adverse to our interests.