Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

It is extraordinary that there has been a deafening silence. Those who are defending this approach are largely conscripts and people who have vested interests in the system. We need an objective debate on this. Let us not forget that these are decisions where the interests of taxpayers and the interests of investors in banks are pitted against one another. We have to make decisions that are based on proper understanding of those considerations. Taking the approach that it is five minutes to midnight, that we must get something through and we have been waiting too long to act, is not the way to make this decision. That would be a serious mistake.

See this speech in context