Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I accept that, Mr. Spring. The purpose of these series of meetings is to deal specifically with the role and activity of the public interest directors. What we would like to learn from both Dr. Somers and Mr. Spring is the actions in which they have been engaged that makes them distinctly different from any other director of the bank. When Mr. Richie Boucher came before the joint committee in November last, he stated emphatically that directors of the bank, public interest or otherwise, are directors whose job under company law is to serve the interests of the banks. That question has been under discussion by the committee because others have stated that the appointment of public interest directors is governed by specific rules, which allows public interest directors to take a conflictual position from other directors.

May I ask both Dr. Somers and Mr. Spring whether they have been in a position in which they proposed a matter that was in conflict with the bank? Have they put the issue to a vote or achieved a consensus on the issues?