Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The research I published, which the Deputy referred to, also stated that the way taxes and losses are treated on the balance sheets of banks has a significant effect on those balance sheets. If we were to change that treatment, there would be consequences for the ability of the banks to meet the needs of customers in a more cost-effective way. The Deputy knows, of course, what would happen if we changed the tax treatment of banks' losses at this point. First, we would single them out from all other companies within the economy, which would have immediate consequences. Second, our ability to get back the money the taxpayer invested in these banks would be impaired. Again and again the Deputy has stood up and criticised the fact that these banks were supported by the taxpayer. I understand why. I would have thought he would be supportive of my efforts to get that money back.

See this speech in context