Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The following issue may not directly affect the Bank of Ireland but the witnesses may be able to shed some light on the regulation from the Central Bank. Allegations have been made that banks have sold loans to third parties for far less than what the debtor was originally happy to agree in an arrangement with the bank. The logic is that the debtor - the householder or businessperson - would be in the property and the third party would receive a very cheap loan. There have been allegations that there are not enough checks and balances within the system to prevent insider dealing between a bank and third party in such a scenario. Are there enough checks and balances to ensure, from the Central Bank perspective, that if loans are sold for values lower than a potential arrangement with a debtor, it would be done in a manner that would safeguard shareholders' interests?