Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

That was my next point. The State owns AIB and has a large stake in Bank of Ireland. We are paying the staff in AIB to carry out the internal review and then we are paying the Credit Review Office to carry out the other review. A total of 55% of these decisions by the banks have been overturned by the Credit Review Office. Is it time to cut out middle process or at least to give them that option to go directly to the office instead of seeking an internal review? The Credit Review Office is placing advertisements on the radio but I am unsure of the current process. For example, a person applying for a medical card will be given advice on how to appeal the decision. If Bank of Ireland or AIB refuse a loan, should they be required to advise the party of the Credit Review Office and the appeals process?