Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 3: To ask the Minister for Finance if he had a meeting with the moderator of the Presbyterian Church regarding a situation (details supplied); his views on discussing this all-Ireland organisation with the British Prime Minister, Mr. Gordon Brown, in an effort to solve the problem brought about to some extent by the guarantees given to other banking organisations by both Governments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14794/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the mutual society he refers to is not one of the institutions covered by the Government's Bank Guarantee Scheme.

The Government's decision to safeguard deposits and specified funding instruments in systemically important credit institutions was taken to maintain financial stability for the benefit of depositors and business in the best interests of the Irish economy. In the period since that decision, similar and further actions have been taken throughout Europe, including the UK, to protect the stability of the financial system.

While I understand that the Presbyterian Church is an all-Ireland church, the Financial Regulator has advised that the mutual society is not registered in this jurisdiction.

As the investors in the mutual Society have voted in favour of an orderly run-down of the Society it would not be appropriate for me to become involved in the decision of that organisation. I have not met with the Reverend Doctor Donald Patton on this matter.

I understand the matter has been raised with the British Government and the Northern Ireland Executive and has also been the subject of contacts between the British Prime Minister and the First Minister and deputy First Minister.