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

I have an interest in attempting to attract another player into the market. It is in the interest of the country. I am sure that if KBC or Ulster Bank were to be packaged and put out there, we would then see whether there is any interest in picking up an existing bank and its staff and network. I am simply saying we never asked. The two banks never asked. They were prepared to do a deal behind closed doors with existing banks. The Minister, his Government colleagues and all of us should be concerned that that is the case. Business people and individuals throughout the country are now forced to deal with the existing duopoly. We have made no real attempt to introduce a Sparkasse model or community banking in Ireland, whether that be through the post offices, the credit unions or whatever. I call Deputy Durkan.