Paschal Donohoe (Fine Gael)

I have three questions for the Leader. The first picks up on a point that Senator Buttimer made about the statement by the Irish Banking Federation. I acknowledge the statement, but I certainly do not welcome it. Let us be very clear what the people whom this organisation represents have got from the Irish taxpayer. They have got a €54 billion injection into their balance sheets, as we shall debate today. They have a banking guarantee scheme that is worth a multiple of all the income generated in the country every year, so we should not be welcoming statements such as this. We need to show more spirit in dealing with these types of organisations.