The Central Bank is now providing funding to the Irish Banks. At some point it too will have to turn off the tap if needs be. Given the likelyhood of the irish banks being unable to repay the funds to the CB any time soon, what is the fate of the Central Bank and does it matter? Also, is there any way that the CB itself can raise funds on the market and then feed these to the banks? (Not proposing this as a good idea mind you!)