Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

The factor that was crucially important was the impact that it would have on other banks. Any collapse of Anglo Irish Bank would have an immediate impact on the other banks in Ireland. When Professor Honohan says something that is liked by Opposition Deputies, they will all welcome it, but when he says something about Anglo Irish Bank with which they do not agree, then they will disagree with him. They have disagreed with him as well on aspects of the NAMA proposal.

Deputy McGrath told me that Mr. Aynsley, at the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service, stated that the winding down of Anglo Irish Bank over a year or two would cost €42 billion. This is a disgraceful situation, but it is not one that this party or this Government brought about.

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