Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

It is fair to say those who work in banks at the lower level have taken the brunt of the stick for those who exemplified greed and rank bad behaviour in their reckless lending practices, which practices brought the banks and, as a consequence, the country to their current position. The Government would need to see an exceptionally compelling case made by any bank to breach the ceiling. The Minister for Finance has requested an overall survey of the remuneration packages of bankers. As I said, there is no formal request before the Government in that regard. As the Deputy is well aware, it is fair to say banks threw money at people left, right and centre. It is also fair to say people borrowed money they knew they would not be able to pay back and that banks lent money they knew would not be paid back. The more bankers at the top level lent, the more they received in bonuses. That is why the Government wants to put a stop to that practice.

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