Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

Naturally, we are all concerned about the ability of the State and our banks to borrow on the international markets and the cost of raising that finance. Is there not a conflict, in that the State is, on the one hand, extolling the banks to lend money - we have all added our voices to that - to businesses so that they can have the requisite working capital to keep functioning while, on the other, the Central Bank is requiring banks to conserve capital to meet the tier 1 and other capital ratios now required? How will we square this circle?

Regarding Senator O'Toole's suggestion on the poppy, am I given to understand that a shamrock poppy is being promoted by the former Deputy, Mr. Paddy Harte, and his peace group? It would be an ideal way to meet the points raised by Senator O'Toole, which I fully support.