Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Is my perception right and is my research solid in saying that there is a strong relationship between food companies and Ulster Bank in particular? I accept that there are strong relationships with other banks. Ulster Bank is, however, the go-to bank for certain entities in the food sector. I refer, for example, to small, mainly family-run start-ups or, perhaps, high potential start-up companies that are scaling up and exporting.

I am seeking comfort from the SBCI on what Mr. Black said about the MOU. Is that Mr. Black's view, insofar as he can speak for Ulster Bank and insofar as we are still going through a process here? I do not want to see a chunk of lending potential slipping off the radar and a chunk of a sector that is vital to Ireland's economic interests finding itself in a position where it has no go-to bank for the type of funding the SBCI provides to the on-lenders. Can Mr. Black give me some level of comfort in that regard? A signal from the SBCI in respect of that matter would give some assurances to people who live, breathe and work in this sector every day.