Government banking plan made ‘on the hoof’

FINE GAEL accused the Government of making up its banking plan “on the hoof” after last-minute changes were made to legislation giving effect to the state takeover of Anglo Irish Bank.

Anglo will be nationalised late tonight or tomorrow following votes in the Dáil and Seanad, which have been called back from their Christmas holidays to debate the plans announced last Thursday.

During today’s debate, the Labour Party will call for a “comprehensive investigation” into how Anglo was operated, particularly how former chief executive Sean FitzPatrick hid loans of up to €122 million from shareholders.