Shane Ross (Independent)

It is absolutely extraordinary that this proposal could be indulged. Moreover, the lack of opposition and the manner in which it is being reported obviously reveal a situation where the Government is surrendering again. It did so with Bank of Ireland and Anglo Irish Bank and is now doing so with AIB. I appeal to the Minister not to present this as a compromise, as it is not. Were this appointment to be made, the retrenchment by the banks would be almost complete. This constitutes the appointment of an insider with too much power and is an indication that the Minister's fight to remove the people at the top which was a great victory for him at the time as he removed ten out of 12 of them has now been turned around and the banks have scored a major victory over him.