In September 2008 the Taoiseach gave this House and the country two guarantees: that the Government would stabilise the banking system and that it would provide for credit to flow to business. He has failed on both counts and his strategy is in tatters. The banks have been bailed out three times — by the guarantee, by recapitalisation, and by the passing of the National Assets Management Agency Bill — and they are now looking for more. They are about to increase charges and interest rates on variable mortgages. The response from Government has been silence.

In September 2008 the number of people on the live register was 240,000. What is that number today?

I totally reject what is becoming a very irresponsible position from the Deputy Kenny——

Who is talking about irresponsibility?

Three Fine Gael leaders.

——with regard to banking policy. I have been reading some of his headlines in the newspapers today.

I do not write the headlines.

The Deputy certainly keeps his eye on them.

I said there would be a revolution on the streets.

Exactly.

I never mentioned the red word.

They are writing about the Taoiseach now.

Ask John Bruton.

The Taoiseach, without interruption, please.

Had Anglo Irish Bank not been recapitalised last year, it would have lost its banking licence and there would have been a call on the State guarantee. We would have been required to immediately repay €65 billion in funding to the European Central Bank, national central banks and other providers of funds. The State does not have €65 billion in cash lying about, nor could it have raised such funds on the markets in a short period to meet those obligations.

Why?

Let us be clear about this. Deputy Kenny's position——

We said it should be wound up over seven years.

——that we should not deal with the situation in Anglo Irish Bank and other banks would mean an immediate call on funds to that amount.

It could be done over seven years.

If that is his policy, he is even more foolish than I thought he was.

This all happened on the Taoiseach's watch. He was Minister for Finance.

The Taoiseach without interruption.

I will have the Taoiseach know——

He is the school bully. He can give it but he cannot take it.

My way or the highway.

I have no intention of descending to the level of personal invective.

Nobody can hear the Deputy's rabble rousing.

Deputy Kenny, please allow the Taoiseach to continue without interruption.

He is the person who said previously in the House that——

I ask the Deputy to resume his seat.

——we are not able or qualified to make a judgment. It is beneath contempt.

He is two thirds the Taoiseach.

That is the irresponsibility the Deputy is displaying with regard to this issue. I am hoping it is due to ignorance of the facts rather than any considered position——

The Fianna Fáil mask just slipped again.

——because if he has considered it and that is his view, he has really gone beyond the beyond.

The 450,000 people on the street know who they are voting for.

Deputy, we are proceeding on the basis that whoever is on his or her feet is allowed to speak.

How dare he say that. It was a personal insult.

The Taoiseach is not on top of a lorry now.

Whoever his friends are, he has let them down.

He has let down Tullamore.

If the Taoiseach had any respect for the people of this country he would resign.