Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Choimisinéir. I have a number of questions on her remarks in her opening statement on non-performing loans, NPLs. We are aware that NPLs have featured quite significantly across the three State-owned banks and have reduced gradually over recent years. At the end of last year, the proportion was just below 5% but unfortunately it has increased since then, to just above 6% at the end of June. On 2 December, the Commissioner said that NPLs would receive her full attention and that we need to find a mechanism to unburden banks with NPLs. I am aware that the Directorate-General will introduce what is called a new comprehensive NPL strategy in the next two weeks. Can the Commissioner tell us what that strategy will involve?