Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

As I stated on radio today, the danger with caps on executives' pay is that the banks are past masters at getting around them. They did so successfully in the US. It is up to the Government and the Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan, to be just as clever. He is clever enough to ensure bankers are held to account. However, the allegation that Fianna Fáil is looking after them, giving them money or doing something for them must be knocked on its head. Deputy Burton can smile all she likes, but it was a false statement.

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