Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Clearly, in the guidance note by the Commission, and as acknowledged I am glad to say by Deputy George Lee at the conclusion of the debate, in asset relief schemes, one must give something to the banks in order to achieve their desired effect. While I am on this subject, I wish to say it is extraordinary that Opposition parties, who devote so much time to the exposure of the taxpayer and of the future generations in this context - a contingency that might or might not materialise in ten years' time - do not contemplate the fact that this year we are borrowing €22 billion to fund the voted expenditure of this State.

See this speech in context