Ms Cathy Herbert:

Well, that the situation was serious and that we'd have to take very swift action. I mean at the time I think ... so we were involved in the referendum, the Lisbon referendum, so that had to go through and immediately after that, I mean, I think the day the results were coming in he went over to talk to the Taoiseach to say this can't wait for a budget, we now must address the crisis.

I mean, my dealings with him ... on ... at that time were very much on the public finances and he was very concerned and took very swift action, and unfortunately that wasn't enough and that was the nature of the ... I mean, it was a case of constant crises and he knew that was what it was going to be.