Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 86: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he is satisfied the banking and financial services systems here are sufficiently protected against unwise or sub-prime lending in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29635/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he is satisfied the banking and financial services here are adequately safeguarded against the effects of sub-prime lending in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29931/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 169 together.

I would draw the Deputy's attention to the comprehensive and positive assessment of the health of the Irish financial system contained in the Financial Stability Report 2007 published in the last week by the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland. I welcome the CBFSAI's overall assessment in the Report, based on key indicators such as asset quality, profitability, solvency, liquidity and credit ratings, that the Irish banking system is sound and robust. The CBFSAI states in its Financial Stability Report 2007 that Irish credit institutions do not have significant exposures to the sub-prime market, either directly or indirectly. The Report concludes that domestic banks' capacity to respond to unexpected developments has not been much reduced by recent market events.