Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Hannigan, Regan, Coghlan, McCarthy, Leyden, Norris, Buttimer and O'Reilly, expressed their serious concerns about the banking sector. They all welcomed the announcement of the world-wide reduction of 0.5% in the interest rates and I congratulate everyone associated with it. The bona fides of the banks are being put to the test, world wide. I call on all the banks in Ireland to reduce their interest rates by 0.5% from close of business this evening at 5 p.m.