Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Many issues have been addressed already but I wish to discuss a few points. It is fair to acknowledge national enterprise week and the workbench partnership spaces. My branch in Montrose might have been one of the first to go cashless. Actually, I know that these branches are not cashless. Mr. McLoughlin is shaking his head because he does not like the phrase but they are non-over-the-counter transaction branches. They are not all in rural Ireland, but I accept that I can go to a different branch not too far away and get over-the-counter transactions if I want. Mr. McLoughlin might give us an indication. This is obviously the way the bank is going. The percentage given for over-the-counter transactions was, I believe, only 2%, but Mr. McLoughlin might outline for us what the figure was previously. I presume that many transactions involve direct debits or Paypath and have been automated for the past 20 or 30 years. Has the figure decreased from 22% or 82% to 2%? It is important for us to understand where it is going. I imagine that the model will be different in ten or 15 years' time.

It was mentioned that the bank was experiencing difficulties with people using coins. I know of Bank of Ireland customers who have left to open post office accounts to deal with their coins because they cannot deal with them in their bank branches. Mr. McLoughlin might outline to us the bank's plans in that regard.