Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Since the House met last week, the banking situation has deteriorated. We have had the publication of the PricewaterhouseCoopers report, albeit a truncated version, and Anglo Irish Bank's end-of-year results. Around the country, there is grave concern because it is difficult to get a grasp of the full range of the issues involved.

This morning the Garda fraud squad was sent into the headquarters of Anglo Irish Bank, which is now State-owned. This sends out its own message. I am not going to be confrontational with the Taoiseach on what others consider to be petty points. This is, however, about the credibility of the country's financial institutions. This morning's Garda actions, which Deputy Charles Flanagan called for on several occasions, send out their own message.

I will put three simple questions to the Taoiseach. First, what new information has come to his attention since the nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank which has triggered the sending in of the Garda? Second, has a direct instruction been given to all personnel, particularly senior personnel, in the now State-owned Anglo Irish Bank to co-operate fully with the ongoing investigation? Finally, arising from this morning's actions, how does the Government propose to rectify Ireland's international financial credibility with the international markets ?

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