Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 216: To ask the Minister for Finance if members of the current board of Anglo Irish Bank received loans from the bank for any purpose. [4452/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Financial Regulator has informed me that it is examining certain issues that have arisen at Anglo Irish Bank including where loans have been made to Directors. The Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement is also conducting an investigation into issues at the bank. The new Board of the bank and I as shareholder will ensure that any issues identified on foot of these investigations are properly addressed as appropriate.

Loans to Directors on commercial terms are permitted under company law and must be disclosed in a company's audited accounts. The question of loans to current Directors at Anglo Irish Bank will be addressed in the bank's annual report and accounts to be published in the coming weeks.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for Finance if he has issued direction in respect of the placing of new business by Anglo Irish Bank. [4453/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Anglo Irish Bank is being run on an arm's length commercial basis and I have issued no such direction. The Board of Anglo is preparing a comprehensive business plan which will be required to demonstrate how the Board will oversee the continued commercial operation of the bank in the best interests of the bank, the financial sector generally and the State. This business plan will provide an overview of the key areas and sectors that the Board, after consultation with my Department, intends Anglo to concentrate on.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Finance if he has issued direction in respect of corporate sponsorship, corporate entertainment or credit card expense entitlement in respect of Anglo Irish Bank executives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4454/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Anglo Irish Bank is being run on an arm's length commercial basis. Accordingly, normal commercial decisions, which include decisions on corporate sponsorship, corporate entertainment or credit card expense entitlement in respect of Anglo- Irish Bank executives, are matters for the Board of Anglo. Notwithstanding this I am informed that there will be no corporate sponsorship this year.

The Board of Anglo is preparing a comprehensive business plan which will be required to demonstrate how the Board will oversee the continued commercial operation of the bank in the best interests of the bank, its customers and the State.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of Anglo Irish Bank personnel on annual salary scales in excess of €250,000 €150,000 and €100,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4455/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Anglo Irish Bank is being run on an arm's length basis to allow the full potential of the bank's business to be realised. Accordingly, the normal ongoing business of the bank, which includes the pay and conditions of staff, is a matter for the Board of Anglo. It would therefore not be appropriate for me to place such commercially sensitive information in the public domain.

As the Deputy will be aware, the remuneration of directors and senior executive staff of Anglo Irish Bank is being considered in the Covered Institution Remuneration Oversight Committee (CIROC) established under the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Scheme 2008. The Scheme requires each covered institution to prepare and submit a plan to structure the remuneration packages of directors and executives so as to take account of the objectives of the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act 2008.

The relevant plans have been prepared and submitted by the covered institutions, including Anglo, and in line with timeframes set out in the Scheme, the Committee will report to me on or before the 5th March 2009, making a recommendation where appropriate, on the compliance by the institution with the terms of the Scheme. The Scheme provides that I may, if required, direct the institution to amend the remuneration plan to comply with the Scheme.

As with the other covered institutions, the terms and conditions of employment for less senior staff are a matter for the Board of Anglo.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Finance if he has issued an instruction to the board of Anglo Irish Bank in relation to the appointment of the new chief executive officer of the bank; his views on whether it is appropriate that such appointment shall be to a person from outside the current pool of Anglo Irish Bank executives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4456/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Anglo Irish Bank is being run on an arm's length commercial basis. I have delegated the function of appointing a chief executive officer under section 20 (b) of the Anglo Irish Bank Corporation Act 2009, to the Chairman of Anglo Irish Bank. I will continue to support the efforts of the Board in appointing a chief executive officer with a view to ensuring the continued commercial operation of the bank in the best interests of the bank, the financial sector generally and the State. I would note that a chief executive officer can only be appointed after appropriate regulatory approvals.