John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Around that time, a number of people from Independent News & Media would have had contact with Professor Kelly and a well documented "Prime Time" debate took place on 30 September 2008 where the economics editor, Brendan Keenan, and Professor Kelly engaged in a discussion on the banks. This occurred on 30 September 2008, a crucial juncture. Brendan Keenan said: "[W]e know what the Irish banks' bad loans are, they're going to be about 1% of their loan books." Professor Kelly's response to that was: "No, that's complete nonsense." Mr. Keenan was appearing on the programme as the economics editor of the Irish Independentat the time. Was there ever any discussion between him and Mr. O'Regan as to his views on banking matters at that critical juncture or was he just offering a personal opinion?