Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

We are certainly living in times that none of us would wish for. Everybody accepts we must safeguard the banking system and everybody is agreed that the limit for deposit protection needed to be raised, as Deputy Richard Bruton pointed out a considerable time ago. However, we are now talking about a guarantee involving lending by banks. I support, as have other speakers, the call of Senator Fitzgerald for a proper question and answer session involving the Minister. Providing unconditional guarantees for senior and subordinated debt is a serious matter. Does this not equate to supporting all the past poor lending decisions of the banks involved? That is why we must know the details of the deal.