Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It remains the case that the bank is giving no information whatsoever and yet I can read reports from reputable media organisations which tell us that Goldman Sachs is the frontrunner and that Oaktree, Apollo and Deutsche Bank are among the firms assessing the portfolio. I can read that, as part of the sale, there is a condition that the owner must be a regulated entity or own a regulated entity. Despite all this, Mr. O'Keeffe is coming before the national Parliament and giving zero information. Yes, the portfolio does not include any family home mortgages, but I presume it includes farm loans.

It includes small business loans for manufacturers, retailers, exporters, yet AIB is not confirming anything. Presumably it includes buy-to-let mortgages, many of those properties being tenanted, so they are people's homes. I ask the bank to reflect on its unwillingness to share any information whatever. It appears as though this process has been under way for six months or more at this point. We have given the bank the opportunity to engage, to provide information and answer reasonable and legitimate questions. AIB is a State-owned bank, as is Permanent TSB. The contrast in the approach and openness on PTSB's part, albeit reluctant, and the lack of openness on the part of AIB is stark. We will have to follow up on this issue politically because there is no engagement coming from AIB.