Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I enjoyed listening to Mr. Draghi's contribution earlier. One of our pillar banks, AIB, had to be rescued by the State in the middle of the financial crash, which took 100% equity. Two or three years ago, the Government sold in an initial public offering, a quarter of the stock at a price of €4.40 per share. The shares today are trading at a 10% discount on that. The bank recently lost its CEO and CFO. I know the European Central Bank does not get involved in micromanagement but this is not a small issue with regard to what strategy this State should pursue with the ownership of such a bank. Are we better retaining it in public ownership? How do we manage that situation? It would be hard to issue a share price below what we issued two years ago. The bank has a long history and important record in this country. As Mr. Draghi says, it is in a market where the whole world is changing. It has many branches but how does the branch system now work? Does the European Central Bank look at such issues or does it have any advice for a Government which has to come to decisions on the ownership of such a bank?