Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Let us just take a step back and consider what the Chairman has said I did not do. In respect of two banks, in which the State has no share and which are internationally owned, the Chairman is suggesting that I should have been involved in the sale process and played a role in attracting other buyers. I am telling the Chairman that there is not a wave of other buyers who want to come into Ireland. It is perfectly credible to say that we need to do all we can to try to encourage more investment and more banks to come to Ireland. I spend a lot of time doing that. I do not accept that I was complicit or that I could have been more active in decisions that were made by KBC and NatWest.