Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

First, as Minister for Finance, I attended such meetings and dinners with other bankers down the years during my time. I want to make it clear that this has no relevance whatever to this situation.

The situation Deputy Kenny wants to raise concerning the challenge to liquidity in the banking system, which subsequently turned into a serious problem on 28 September, as we saw, was dealt with by me on the basis of the best possible advice available to me at all times. I reject the contention the Deputy continues to make. I take full responsibility for my decisions-----

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