Mr. John O'Connell:

There are good examples of blended models. We are not Luddites or opposed to change. We recognise the benefits of change. We are concerned about how change comes about for us, for consumers and for staff. Ireland is not at the level of digital maturity other countries have reached. We are on that curve and we are developing. However, the side effects of very advanced digitisation are being applied to us. As such, branch services are being withdrawn. Rural Ireland is a good example. Those communities do not have the broadband coverage they would like but they are at risk of losing their branch networks. The option of going digital is not really available. We are not saying change cannot be allowed in banking. However, we all need to get on that train together and get off at the right destination. We do not want communities to have their services withdrawn and be told they have the option of going online when they really do not. People cannot run their SMEs or businesses without that access.