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

We are now at the end of it. It will not surprise Mr. Masding when I tell him I am not fan of the arrangements that Permanent TSB has entered into. I would prefer if a greater political urgency could be put into creating a different arrangement to give people a better chance. I know that Mr. Masding is managing his bank and Mr. Ryan is doing his business with Pepper. I often consider that we are here to remind them of what customers are saying and to attempt to get better outcomes for them. When the committee suspended for ten minutes, one of our guests was approached about a freedom of information matter. That happens in here. Customers end up coming in here and listening to what goes on. They are generally looking for information. I hope our guests can resolve some of the issues about which they may have heard here. A gentleman approached one of them about an individual issue.

It might be difficult for all of the delegates to come here, but it is a way of answering publicly the questions people are asking us. I ask them to see it that way. Mr. Masding is a hardened attendee at committee meetings. It is not personal. It is a real and serious problem for families and we have to follow it up. That is why I asked delegates at the beginning of the meeting about coming here again at some stage. It is not to ambush them but to get at what is really happening. If some of what we are being told is not correct, they will have an opportunity to correct the record. People are anxious to get on with their lives. I understand the angst on the delegates' side, but there is also a pressing issue on the side of their customers. I thank them for coming and their colleagues. I also thank the clerk and her staff who have been very patient because we have been sitting since 2 p.m. As I probably will not see Mr. Masding before Christmas, I wish him and all of the delegates a happy Christmas.