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

Bonuses paid to Goodbody were paid by a company that the State at that point did not own. What I am doing here is allowing remuneration in Goodbody to continue as it was in the past. I am allowing AIB to continue to be subject to the policy in place relating to bankers' pay. It is really clear what is happening.

I do not have available to me now the information regarding the level of Goodbody bonuses for last year. I did not bring that into the Chamber. At that point the Government was not involved in, or AIB did not own, that company. Why all this is being done is because it is good for three Irish companies.

I want to ask Deputy Doherty a question. Is he against this transaction happening? All that matters to Deputy Doherty is that he can get Facebook content so he can ring up his pals either in Berlin or Belgrade to get them to send out material about what we are doing here. What I am doing is making decisions that are right for Irish companies. I am trying to put in place a positive future for, in particular, indigenous Irish companies. I have answered the question. I know Deputy Doherty will be speed-dialling his buddies in Berlin to generate whatever material he wants. This is about Irish firms. Are you in favour of a transaction happening that is good for Irish companies?

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