Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

They account for €28 billion and €8 billion of the €77 billion total. That is half of what the taxpayer will have to carry. Were any two bankers in the history of Irish banking and property development ever closer to the Government benches? If there were others, I do not know who they are. When Deputy Gilmore, the leader of the Labour Party, and I visited Merrion Street on the fateful night of the guarantee, I asked the Minister's officials only two questions, as did Deputy Gilmore. We asked about those two banks and the effect they were having on the destruction of Ireland's reputation, especially in London and New York.

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