Lenihan in bank talks amid speculation over re-capitalisation
Finance Minister Brian Lenihan today held talks with three of the state’s biggest banks as speculation mounted that a possible re-capitalisation deal may be struck.
Mr Lenihan also confirmed he would be meeting this evening with the chairmen and chief executives of the other three financial institutions as part of “structured consultations.”
Publishing the Finance Bill in Government Buildings, the minister said he was making every effort to ensure firms and consumers have access to credit.
Opposition parties have led calls on the Government to inject cash into the main banks to improve credit lines to small and medium-sized businesses which currently employ 800,000 people.
Mr Lenihan said today: “Through a process of structured consultation, I met with the chairmen and chief executives of three banks today. The chairmen and chief executives of three other banks remain to be met,” he said.
“The public should be assured that the Government is determined to continue efforts to stabilise and reform the banking sector to ensure it provides credit for Irish small and medium-sized enterprises as well as consumers.”
He declined to comment further on the discussions or any likely outcomes.
Tánaiste Mary Coughlan earlier dismissed Opposition expectations that the Dáil may be recalled in coming days if any announcement on re-capitalisation of the banks was made.
Mr Lenihan also said it was too early to predict tax revenue for November, an important month for returns of the self-employed.
