Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, I understand that. I agree and understand the reasons.

I am concerned lest the practice continues indefinitely and for too long a duration on the basis that it could impact on the efficiency and efficacy of the banking system here for an unnecessary long period. Is it evident that our banking system here has learned from its mistakes in the past and is willing to ensure that there is no repetition of what happened during the Celtic tiger era? Can the Minister, in any way, extract from the banks an indication that what happened in the past was wrong, is not going to be repeated and does not require the reserve in terms of the ECB and the Central Bank of Ireland?

We accept the fact that we had to be punished and the people, banks and businesses were punished. There were huge losses all over the country in almost every sector and the following questions now arise. Is it wise to continue that attrition into the future? More importantly, how long will the punishment continue?