Governments across Europe will have no choice but to go "all-in" like the Irish have to protect their depositors...and the politicians have no one else to blame but themselves as they are the ones ultimately responsible for the regulatory failure that has occured in the banking system.

Eric, Philadelphia,

The Irish got first mover advantage, removed the counterparty risk, and regained ownership of the financial system.For bank exec's to borrow the CB is their last resort if they think about share options. If RBS want's to avail of 100% protection and lower tax rates, they should have an Irish License

Alex, Dublin,

All deposits SHOULD be guaranteed anyway. Otherwise, what is the point of the common man banking his salary? From and Englisman, for the second time this year I say well done the Irish again!

Ian Blaber, Brisbane, Australia

How ironic that the loudest complaints about the Irish government 6 Banks underwrite are now coming from the BBA (British Banking Association). The same BBA whose members' hedge funds were attempting to bankrupt the Irish banking system last week by short selling and stock lending.

mike doran, Dublin, Ireland

While the UK and EU dithers the Irish acted brilliantly and decisively ,no half measures or piecemeal solutions just a practical common sense solution , woe bethide them if they were waiting on the EU to act ... snails move faster ! this solution has worked ... UK and Mr Brown please wake up !

Eric, London, UK

Be careful! The Irish state cannot in any concievable way "guarentee" these deposits if push comes to shove. They have nothing like the tax base that USA , Japan, and Major EU economies have and in fact would have to sell themselves body and soul if they had to meet it. Stupid decision.

DRF, london, UK

The UK government taxes us on our already taxed savings,I thought we elected a government to protect its people from
world problems.Mr Brown follow in the fairness of the Irish,
protect the hard working people of the UK,OR WILL YOU FAIL
US ONCE AGAIN>

scott, Pinner, UK

Successive governments have played a seductive fiddle while the banks have danced all over the taxpayers/voters. Serious Fraud is taking place here. Can someone please tell me Why the taxpayer is supporting these businesses? The Governments work for us and we should get answers. Or do they?

karl, Leeds, England

The Irish Govt. are the first to have acted in the interests of both deposit holders and 'investors'.
They must therefore be applauded, and other countries should follow suit to ensure that people continue to invest in banks. Without investors surely there would be no banks.

EO'Donnell, Birmingham,

If it was your savings money wouldn't you want a 100% guarantee and not all this fuffing about moving your money to different banks that we have to do in the uk.

BD, London,

Why all the fuss over the Irish Governments decision to guarantee the deposits of all savers?. After all they are the ones who have been prudent and responsible when it comes to borrowing and saving. It does not create any 'unfair' advantage as each country can decide its own policy on such a move.

pip, Croydon, uk

"a reported single corporate deposit of €500 million (£101 million) to one bank"

They got a good rate there, 5 euros per pound! No wonder they were tempted.

Fred, Moray, Scotland

€500m is not £101m!!!

Suzie, London,

The Irish government is only doing this so as to get money into the Irish banks to stop them collapsing. It hasn't got the funds to guarantee deposits if things get worse.

william Haines, Northwood,

I think the Irish government are looking out for the common good of the Irish state, this is after all their reason for being. If the British or other states have a problem with this then it is up to them to solve but essentially this is move to stabilise and secure one nations future.

Marcus, Kildare, Ireland

The Irish Government as an Independent soverign state has every right to protect its banks from a global crisis which was not of its making and in doing so has protected the hard earned savings of its citizens with accounts in Irish banks In fact it has offered a"template" to many other countries.

martin whelan, London, United Kingdom

"€500 million (£101 million)"

Do you want to sell me some euros at that exchange rate?

Neil McF, Southampton, England

Where does the Times get its forex rates? EUR500m is not GBP100m.

James S, London, England

Peter Murray - I object strongly to your interpretation of our decision to do that which we have done.Have you not noticed that we have moved "mountains" to improve our relationship with London - actually, what we have done is make explicit that which is implicit for all Governments

Niamh Ni Aodhain, Dublin , Ireland

By guaranteeing 100% of deposits the Irish have effectively ensured that the guarantee won't be needed because their banks will now be perceived as being very strong. Large outflows of cash to Ireland from a weak British bank could bust it. Meanwhile Brown/Darling dither over 35k v 50k compensation.

Ed, London, UK

If I was german I'd be pretty annoyed that the Irish are writing cheques which it could be down to the germans to honour! talk about bankers ruining the system, how about governments who blatantly can't afford their guarantees?

Richard, London,

If the UK government really does mean no one will lose their money if a UK bank fails, why not give everyone the same assurances as Irish Government and just guarantee all bank desposits, before everyone seeks the safe havens across the water.

Barbara, hereford,

If £101 million buys € 500m of deposits in Ireland, there will be plenty more money flying over the Irish sea !!

Harry, London,

>> €500 million (£101 million)

That would be €500 million (£394 million) as the current exchange rate is 1.26 Euro to the Pound.

Roger, London, UK

This decision by the Irish government may not be seen to be constructive in a wider context but they did what they had to do to protect their banks and more importantly the savings of their voters! Isn't that why we vote a government in? To act in our best intestest?

Spencer, Bromley, UK

"a reported single corporate deposit of €500 million (£101 million)"
Is the euro that weak?

steve, london,

For all the financial whizz kids in London trying to sort your mess out,you have been made to look amature by the stroke of a pen.You needed capital..this was your answer.I hope the
irish will welcome us with open arms when we arrive in the ensuing exudos.

john, glasgow,

So now the Irish - as always - have recognized that England's problems are their opportunity: here we see where the real crisis now starts with a scramle for any opportunity to get a marginal advantage and to hell with the common good.


Peter Murray

Peter Murray, Kemore, Australia