Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Instead of people deciding that these issues are not being properly addressed, they should realise that they are being properly addressed. I have outlined the importance of the discussions taking place in an urgent and focused manner. We will conduct that analysis in an open and constructive way. Our people are available to discuss that with those who will come over from the ECB, the IMF and elsewhere. Whatever is in the essential interests of this country to do to bring about stability, growth and recovery, and ensure that the banking system will function openly as soon as possible on the market, would be the objective of any Government. In doing all of that we will seek to protect our essential national interests and to ensure that the outcome is such that the country's sovereignty and sovereign debt is not unduly imposed upon with a burden it cannot bear. That is what we will do and we will do so because that is the important task facing this Government.

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