John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I respect that and will not continue on this line of questioning because the Minister is going to review the legislation and the regulations. The families affected - indeed all of us - have seen the result of the intervention of the banks on the night of the crisis. Exceptional circumstances dictated an exceptional response. That happened and the banks were saved. As our report shows, there were 125 meetings between the Department and the vulture funds between 2013 and 2016. It appears from that circumstance that the scales are tilted in favour of the institutions and the vulture funds in this case. What people are asking for is a little tilt in their favour and an acknowledgement of the crisis and social catastrophe that will emerge if there is no political response. It is very much a political response that is required.

My second question is about community banking. The committee will go to see the community bank in Germany to see how it operates. We have had them here at the committee and will facilitate a meeting among the stakeholders with an interest in community banking in Ireland. Can the Minister tell the committee when he and the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Michael Ring, will be finished with the report on community banking?