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

I welcome representatives of Ulster Bank to the meeting. I also welcome the news that the bank will continue to operate as a financial institution on the island of Ireland. That is as far as my welcome extends.

The focus of the meeting is mortgage arrears target, although other issues arise regarding Ulster Bank. I corresponded with Mr. Brown who asked his public relations staff to respond to my correspondence. The response I received did not answer any of my questions on the global restructuring group which is forcing viable businesses to sell assets. This group is the bank's internal bad bank, as it were. The issue of bank closures, which is also coming down the line, was not addressed either. I ask Mr. Brown to respond to these questions if possible.

To focus on mortgage arrears, Ulster Bank has proudly stated that it does not write off mortgage debt and has not vetoed any protective certificates. I presume the bank will write off mortgage debt in a personal insolvency arrangement.