Mr. Pierce Butler:

With regard to the branch structure, Deputy Penrose mentioned the lack of face-to-face contact within the branch structure. We made a number of changes in recent years. We have been having ongoing conversations with our customers. We have listened to the feedback that we have got from them. As a result of that feedback and to try to serve them better, we have brought additional staff into customer-facing roles within our branches. There was a recent announcement of 100 people going in. We are also enhancing the service that we offer within our branch structure in order that there will be full-day counter service in an extra 100 branches. We have the largest branch network across the country, with a presence in over 250 local communities with a branch.

We want to be able to provide an excellent service to customers in whatever way they choose to bank with us, whether that is face to face through the branch network or via our online banking. We are here to speak specifically about the farming sector. Many farmers have been able to contact us and have loans for up to €120,000 approved over the phone and without the need to call into a branch. They have found that to be an excellent service. There is a place for both the face-to-face local contact, which we are enhancing, as well as the digital and online services we offer to customers.