Minister for the Environment John Gormley has backed calls for an inquiry into the banking collapse.
His remarks follow comments from Central Bank governor Patrick Honohan, who suggested an investigation similar to the one that followed the attacks on 11 September 2001.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen reacted cautiously to the calls, saying the immediate priority was to restore stability to the banking sector.
However, the Green Party leader said he did not feel an inquiry would hamper that process.
Mr Gormley said an Oireachtas Committee would provide a cost-effective route but there could be other ways of mounting an inquiry.
The Minister for the Environment said he understood former Irish Nationwide Chief Executive Michael Fingleton ‘had a habit of giving loans and mortgages to a lot of people’.
He stressed that there was a need for an inquiry into the banking system to get to the bottom of what occurred.
Mr Gormley said such an inquiry would help to establish what his relationship was with various people.
He said it was noticeable when the Green Party called for Michael Fingleton's resignation that there was not much support from any political parties.
Minister Gormley said it seemed Mr Fingleton had relationships not just with politicians but with journalists and people in the media generally.
'Mr Fingleton seemed to foster good relationships with these people for whatever reason and it is important to establish why this was so.'
He added he would be hopeful an inquiry could commence in the New Year as people want to see those responsible for this crisis actually dealt with.
