Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)

The banks are regulated by the Central Bank through the Governor and the Deputy Governor. Ministers meet people all the time every day. We meet people on the basis that we have full and frank discussions on issues which are confidential. I cannot go into the detail of our discussions with Bank of Ireland or any other bank but I am giving the Deputy the result of the discussions. The result has already been indicated publicly but we do not regard this business as concluded. The deputy governor, financial regulation, of the Central Bank has powers in this area which he is pursing.

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