Saving the banks - None of our options are attractive

FINANCE Minister Brian Lenihan spoke for the great majority yesterday when he described the cost of the bank rescue package as “horrendous”.

Even though the figure was not terribly different to what was expected when it finally arrived, like a death in the family, it was heartbreaking and overpowering in equal measure.

And, like a bereaved family, it is entirely natural to wonder if things can ever be the same again. This morning we can only hope that they might but recent history has shaken our confidence and it is hard, at this moment, to believe they will be any time soon.