Mr. Brian Cowen:

No, I think the reports are very comprehensive when you read them. But the Governor's job was probably to pick points of emphasis. And one of the emphasis, you know, in fairness to him, I'd have to say he was ... you know, he wasn't a man that had ... you know, would run away with himself, he was very grounded and would point out these downside risks and we would discuss them. And the need to take into account reduced output coming into '08 was something that we did. And so, he was listened to in that respect.

I mean, he would emphasise that. Now would he say to me, "By the way, it's Mr. X or Ms X on the financial authority that's saying that rather than me or someone else," no, he wouldn't present it that way. But he presented, I believe, conscientiously. He did ... he did always talk about downside risks. I mean, he never came in and said, "Everything's hunky-dory", in fairness to the man. Because, you know, he's measured, he'd do a professional job, he'd set out what the risks are and then he'd explain why they'd come to the conclusion they'd come to. It's like everything, I mean, economic forecasting, it's not an exact science either. I mean, they give you your best assessment and you have to use your political judgment. And I would say to you that if there were concerns expressed at board level without him saying, you know, "This is a dissonant view or a dissident view.", he would give the views. And as I say, I recall him giving those views and being straightforward and professional about it.