Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

As is normal regarding the law on mergers or takeovers, existing liabilities of the bank remain current. People can still sue in the event of malfeasance against them under the auspices of the National Irish Bank. People buy both the assets and the concurrent liabilities of businesses when they acquire them. As I understand it there is no question of a person's right to sue or to claim recompense for any wrongdoing regarding any of these matters being put at risk as a result of the acquisition taking place.

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