Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Having listened to the presentations earlier and last week regarding mortgages and so on, there is a good chemistry now and a good relationship. Perhaps that is because we, representing the people, share the cockpit with AIB management and board in trying to get back to funding the important sectors of the economy. During the five years leading up to 2011, the information, management and board reports from all the banks were at best unreliable, if not misleading. I asked the bankers who appeared earlier why we should believe what we are hearing now. I will not ask the officials to answer this question immediately because on the basis of what they have outlined over the past while, they have pulled back the curtains a little to allow us to see the operational actions they have taken.

Having worked in banking for 20 years at SME level in ICC Bank, I recognise the authenticity of what they have said. I hope they keep it up and do more of this. I appreciate that Mr. O'Connor bears a great deal of responsibility, as his neck of the woods is about cleaning up the mess of the past and clearing the stage for businesses and households to move forward again.

I am glad there is no suite of options for people and businesses in distress. There is only one answer in each case because the facts of the circumstances for that person or business will reveal the answer regarding what is sustainable. When I hear loose talk about six or seven options, it does not wash.

When Nagasaki was bombed and people were suffering from radiation one could not spray an overall medicine for everybody. Each person who was hurt and suffering from radiation had to be treated separately. This is what the bank management is doing to deal with the issue and address it. I am glad to hear that where there is financial gangrene it must be cut off through debt write-down.