Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Bruton made a fair point when he asked what was the vision for the banking sector. If we strip away the political charges made by the Opposition speakers and consider what they want for the banking sector, it is what we all want. It is what the people want, that the banks will serve borrowers and small and medium sized enterprises in an honest way and ensure that those in default on their home loans are treated in a reputable and respectable way. These are core objectives of both the Government and Opposition parties and are not an issue in this debate.

However, with regard to the political charges made and, in particular, to the suggestion there has been a delay in dealing with this matter by the Government, I wish to point out that I have spent night and day, since budget time, working on this issue. The issues involved are of fundamental importance, both to the economy and the taxpayer. I received the final report from PwC on 18 November. Therefore, Opposition speakers who contributed to this debate cannot say there has been some——

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