It's emerged that the former chairman of Anglo Irish Bank, Sean FitzPatrick, asked the Central Bank for some sort of guarantee FIVE MONTHS before the government guarantee in 2008.

Kevin Cardiff has told the Banking Inquiry that Mr FitzPatrick's request was followed by discussions with a litany of senior bankers and others who suggested a guarantee might be welcome.

He also revealed that a special group had been set up to discuss a banking crisis, within the Department, while Brian Cowen was minister.

And he also repeated the claims of others that the ECB had issued a clear instruction that banks should not be allowed to fail - essentially forcing the Irish state to step in and save the banks, incurring costs that would ultimately force Ireland into its bailout.

Our political correspondent Gavan Reilly filed this report for Today FM's National Lunchtime News;