Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I wish to ask the Taoiseach about the bonus culture that is alive and well in the banks. The Minister for Finance gave misleading information to the Dáil recently when he stated that no bonuses were being paid. The information provided by the Minister was given to him falsely by Bank of Ireland in respect of bonuses paid to personnel working in that institution. In the context of accountability, has the Government ascertained the circumstances in which a person or persons in Bank of Ireland informed the Minister for Finance that bonuses were not paid and, if so, who authorised that? Second, what is the significance and role of the public interest directors in this matter? Were they asleep when this information was given to the Minister for Finance? The Taoiseach is aware that €3.5 billion already has been paid to this bank with more to follow. The point is that the increased taxes, levies and charges being paid by each worker in the country go exclusively to pay these bonuses and this is not right.

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