Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

The provision in the Bill which precludes the operation of the Competition Authority only relates to circumstances where there is an instability in the financial system. In all other circumstances, competition rules apply to mergers, acquisitions and businesses. It would not be normal practice in a purely commercial understanding between a bank and the State that the State would impose an obligation on that commercial entity in regard to how it conducts its acquisition of businesses.