Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

Our credit worthiness is on a scale with that of Italy, which has consistently experienced difficulties with general Government bonds over many years. On the spread the Minster referred to, the figure is 1.2% higher in Germany than in Ireland. How does the Minister explain the 0.6% increase in the cost of borrowing to the Irish Government since the introduction of the bank guarantee scheme? What will he do to lower the cost?

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