Mr. Bernard Byrne:

Almost 90% of all transactions take place away from the branch. Clearly, that was not the case when those branches were set up. Notwithstanding any anecdotal evidence one might hear, the volume of activity that goes through those branches is tiny by comparison with what it was when they were originally set up. The specific locations we chose had the lowest levels of activity and served areas that could be served in other ways. The committee may be aware that we have four mobile banks which are serving most of the locations that have been disenfranchised as a result of this measure. We also have an arrangement in place with An Post to ensure anyone can carry out lodgments, which was a key issue for people with cheque lodgments. At each location where we have closed a branch, An Post has been enabled to accept cheque lodgments in post offices. It was already able to take cash lodgments and provide cash services. The new facilitation, which involves cheque lodgments, was launched at the exact same point in time. In many locations that have lost a branch, two or three locations in the surrounding region have been enabled from a post office point of view. Clearly, there has been a change in how the service is being offered. We know that is difficult. It was simply not possible for us to continue to provide this social service in the context of the imperative to become viable. We had to do something to address the cost base. We believe we have enabled people to continue to avail of banking services through our on-line and remote offerings, through what is happening in An Post and through the mobile banks I have mentioned. That is a quick attempt at an answer at this point.