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

I disagree strongly with the decisions in the cases I have mentioned, as do other Deputies in the cases they raised relating to their constituencies. My knowledge of the areas is that they do not have proper broadband, the post offices were stretched and the partnership, as mentioned by Ms McDonagh, offers very little for potential to move the post office from being on the verge of closing to continuing in business. It is a retrograde step in some of the areas mentioned. Bank of Ireland should be in a position to at least inform the local community as to its future and the reasons the decisions were arrived at.

The equity release product is causing a lot of concern among those who were involved in the purchase of that product. It is causing quite a lot of difficulties in families because the owner of the house who may be the parents may have entered into this arrangement without knowing the full financial consequences or exposure they would have. Families are now finding this out and it is causing significant distress. Given the numbers of people involved in this equity release product, is it possible for Bank of Ireland to review the matter and cap the interest rates or make some form of adjustment of the product for these customers?

I call on Senator Davitt to ask his questions.