Lenihan: Fury at bank crisis ‘reasonable’

FINANCE Minister Brian Lenihan said he understands the public “incomprehension and anger” at the vast sums of money being pumped into the banking sector, particularly Anglo Irish Bank.

Delivering the keynote speech at the annual Michael Collins commemoration ceremony in Béal na mBláth yesterday, Mr Lenihan said fury was “a quite reasonable response to the incredible recklessness and incompetence” that fuelled the banking crisis and that “like others, I hope that anyone who broke the law will face its full rigours”.

Defending Government support of the banks, Mr Lenihan said its decision was based on expert advice that it needed to stand behind the banks to ensure a sustainable financial system is established.