Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

AIB has merged with EBS, and the mortgage figures in some of the graphs refer to AIB while in other graphs the figures are pooled. Why do different variable rates exist? In one table AIB is referred to as having the lowest standard variable rate, which it does, but the same table does not refer to EBS, which has a higher rate.

It was stated that 43% of people who have distressed mortgages come from the SME or partnership sectors and perhaps have rental properties, and that the bank is examining packaging all of their debt to come up with a solution for them. To what extent is the bank examining loans with other banks which their mortgage customers have? Is the bank taking a multi-institutional approach to difficulties? If people have loans with several banks the burden still exists although I am sure AIB would not wish to have the liability.

In continental Europe, particularly in Germany, people have 50 or 60 year mortgages. Would AIB be interested in such a product? It would allow multi-generational ownership of property. Is this a potential solution to the difficulties people have?