Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)

In his reply the Taoiseach begged a supplementary question. His predecessor, Brian Cowen, said in May 2010, "The IFSC Clearing House Group identifies and considers issues of major concern to the long-term development of the national financial services industry in Ireland and also lists consideration of regulatory issues."

To the knowledge of the Taoiseach has it analysed and reported on the events leading up to the financial crash in 2007 and 2008? Has it drawn any lessons from it or provided the Government with any lessons? Has it made any self-criticism? Has there been any clearing out of the Clearing House Group in terms of its absolute failure to call a halt to the type of obscene speculation that was going on around Europe in the lead up to 2008?

Industry members who have served or are serving on the Clearing House Group and related subgroups include a who's who of the biggest finance companies in Europe and the world.

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