Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Masding has painted a rosy picture. In regard to his statement that the bank is now ready to move on to phase three - growing the group - what does that mean for competition in the Irish banking sector and physically in terms of the bank infrastructure? Can we look forward to the opening of more branches, a better geographical spread of same and more jobs? Will Mr. Masding confirm that at least there will be no more closures or mergers of the banks? I note Permanent TSB currently has nine fewer branches than it had in 2012. In regard to staff, perhaps Mr. Masding would explain how it is that there are 273 more staff in the organisation but fewer branches.