Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

That is an issue that obviously has to be examined by the committee and I am not in a position today to make an announcement in that regard.

With regard to the question of write-downs, Deputy Bruton's question draws attention to the fact that were we to write down mortgage debt in the manner he suggests, then clearly that would accelerate further losses in the banks requiring further capitalisation. While decisions will be required on capitalisation before the summer, and clearly in that context, consideration will be given to the exposure of the banks right across their loan portfolios in the years ahead.

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