Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I again voice my frustration. I did not use the words "a formal request" but "a request". I agree entirely that ordinary staff in the banks are taking the brunt of public anger, although they do not deserve it. However, the Taoiseach has not ruled out a breach of the cap. The problem is not just that people are angry with the bankers, but that they are also angry at the failure of the Government to intervene. The Government famously stated it could not intervene when a man walked off with a pension of €3 million. I refer to new contracts which are not the fault of Fianna Fáil but the responsibility of the Government. Any contract would have to be cleared by the Government. It cannot blame Brian Cowen, Deputy Micheál Martin or anybody else.

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