Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to continue on the theme of the banks' disdain and contempt for ordinary customers, as reflected in the contributions of previous speakers. I am particularly pleased to note from today's newspapers that An Post is in the process of rolling out a banking system. Perhaps the Leader will indicate whether - given that it has already frustrated the credit unions, by way of restrictive legislation, from providing business loans - the Government is on the side of the banks. According to newspaper reports, the Government is delaying the roll-out of the banking service by the post office system across the country. According to those reports - I am sure the Leader will clarify the position in respect of them - the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is delaying the proposed roll-out by An Post of its banking service. Is that true? If so, is it doing it in order to defend the banks again? I find it somewhat ironic that at a time when Bank of Ireland is proposing to limit the access of customers to banking services, it is also rolling out a business enterprise concept countrywide in an effort, in my opinion, to portray itself as one of the good guys. As already indicated in various earlier contributions, Bank of Ireland is attempting to stop individual customers going into its branches. That bank is doing everything in its power to encourage people to bank online rather than visit its premises.

I am not trying to score a political point. Whatever about the merits or otherwise of the credit union legislation, if An Post is advanced in its plans to roll-out of a banking service, including credit cards, online banking, debit and credit facilities, current account facilities and so on, in its 1,000 plus outlets across the country, I am sure Members on all sides of this House would welcome that as a third banking service. I will nail my colours to the mast and say if that if a full banking service is going to be provided through the post office system, I would find it an attractive alternative. Perhaps for the first time, the pillar banks, particularly Bank of Ireland in the context of its launch in the past week of a particularly terrible initiative, will be hurt financially by the rolling out of the An Post service. There is a moral obligation on the Government, apart from a practical one, to ensure that people are given an alternative as Bank of Ireland withdraws its public service banking system, which has been the mainstay of banking in this country since banking became a reality.

I am requesting a debate on the banking system in the context of the roll-out of a third service and that said debate be taken by the relevant Minister, be it the Minister for Social Protection or the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. I ask that the Leader communicate with both Ministers' Departments in regard to whether either is delaying the roll-out of the postal banking service and, if so, to explain and justify their reason for same.