Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

——in terms of the leadership that must be displayed in the country and this House, it is true to say that our financial system, like others, is under continual stress. The credit crunch and the ability to access markets and credit remains a challenge facing this system now more than ever. I hold absolutely no brief for anyone who would besmirch the reputation or integrity of Irish banking domestically or internationally because of the difficulties it brings, exacerbating an already difficult position.

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