The Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said the Government views the payment of undisclosed bonuses to staff at Bank of Ireland as "a very serious matter".
Mr Cowen confirmed that an investigation is underway into the bonuses paid since the Government's bank guarantee scheme was introduced.
He was unable to tell the Dáil how much money had been paid over, but said an intensive inquiry would establish the facts.
He said: "If wrongdoing is discovered, there will be consequences."