Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)

In fairness, four weeks after the events, I think the Taoiseach should have a good estimate to report to Dáil Éireann. The costs for his own Department are relatively small compared with what the overall national cost will be. I want to hear the Taoiseach's current estimate of the overall national cost. I am sure he has inquired about that and has been told. With regard to the US Government's subvention, I think the Taoiseach should ask them to pay for the whole lot considering that they cost us perhaps €20 billion in vetoing the burning of bondholders in bad banks.

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