THE German Embassy in Dublin received a "considerable" number of calls from Irish people "expressing sympathy" after the Anglo Tapes were released.

German Ambassador Dr Eckhardt Lubkemeier said Germans did not see what was expressed on the recordings as being in any way reflective of Irish people.

"After these conversations were published, we reassured . . . that they were in no way indicative of the views of the Irish people."

Speaking on RTE radio, Dr Lubkemeier said the attitudes as expressed on the tapes were "indicative of the attitudes of bankers in other countries".

Irish Independent