Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Of course I had no knowledge of any untoward goings on between Irish Life & Permanent and the Anglo Irish Bank. The decisions made on 30 September were in the interests of maintaining stability in the banking system and the economy, based on advice from the Governor of the Central Bank, the regulatory authorities and the Department of Finance, and from no other source. I wish to make that very clear. This innuendo has been going around for long enough. Everything the Government is doing regarding this matter to bring stability to the banking system is on the basis of our assessment of the national interest and the seriousness of the situation confronting the country. I refute any suggestion to the contrary; it is without foundation.

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