Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)

As Deputy Bruton stated, the approach outlined by the professor leaves the risk and responsibility for working out toxic developer loans with the bankers who made them, and with the investors who funded them, while also ensuring that a clear and healthy banking system is ready to restart lending. The professor has rubbished the scaremongering by the Government and its banking friends that Fine Gael's tough policy on the banks will scare off private investors in Ireland and make it difficult for the Government to borrow money. On the contrary, the professor has confirmed the Fine Gael view that protecting the taxpayer from banking losses is the best route to restoring Ireland's economic reputation and creditworthiness. Nobody wants to lend or to invest in a country that caves in so easily to powerful financial interests.

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