Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

Second, Commissioner Almunia, stated: " . . . Anglo Irish Bank has to restructure profoundly in a way that effectively tackles the weaknesses of the past business model and ensures a sustainable future without continued State support." Has the Minister implied to the Commission that the bank has a sustainable future without State support? That would be a highly misleading statement to make.

Third, Mr. Almunia further stated: "Earlier this year, Ireland notified a capital injection of €8.3 billion in favour of Anglo Irish Bank, one of Ireland's largest banks, to be paid in successive tranches over 10 years." The Commissioner's statement implies the €8.3 billion was agreed by the Minister with the Commission some months ago. He has dealt with the Dáil and the people of Ireland despicably in that he signed up to this agreement and then he said——

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