80 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Finance the current position regarding a third banking group; if the TSB bank is still part of this equation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17816/95]

As I indicated to the House in my reply to related questions on 19 October, options for restructuring the State banking sector have been reviewed by my Department and are currently being examined by me and a number of my Government colleagues.

The overall objective in this matter is to ensure that there is a strong and vital banking market. Current discussions are concerned with ensuring that whatever proposals emerge are in the best interests of the economy, the banking sector, the people involved in the various institutions and the institutions themselves. While it would be wrong of me to outline what may or may not happen until the matter has been resolved by the Government, I can assure the Deputy that TSB Bank is very much part of the overall equation.