Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 317: To ask the Minister for Finance the number and locations of banking or other financial institutions likely to be wound up arising from the financial difficulties to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1671/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 318: To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which an evaluation has been carried out of banking structures within this economy with a view to a determination as to the optimum size and strength of such institutions in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1672/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 320: To ask the Minister for Finance when he expects good banking, lending and borrowing policies to be restored in view of his commitment in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1674/11]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 317, 318 and 320 together.

The State's primary consideration in its involvement in the banking system is to protect, in the public interest, the financial and economic system of the State. Therefore, the Government's actions in the banking area are designed, while minimising the cost to the taxpayer, to support the development of a reformed and reinvigorated banking system that can serve our economy in a proper manner and, within which, there is scope for all viable credit institutions operating in the Irish market to play their full part.

The agreed joint EU-IMF Programme of Financial Support recognises and supports this overall objective, builds upon the banking measures taken to date and provides for further reform and reorganisation of the banking sector. The objective of the Programme, in so far as it relates to banking, is to fundamentally downsize and reorganise the sector so that it is proportionate to the size of the economy. In that regard it envisages that the banks that will continue to fully serve the needs of the economy will be capitalised to the highest international standards and that a specific plan for the resolution of Anglo Irish Bank and INBS will be finalised and submitted to the European Commission for approval by end January. This will move Allied Irish Banks, Bank of Ireland, Irish Life and Permanent and EBS towards holding higher levels of capital and should allow them maintain and secure more stable funding and thereby facilitate them to meet the credit needs of sustainable businesses and households.