Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I think we are finishing up. We spoke about walking down the different main streets and the many actors. There is significant concern regarding Ulster Bank and Bank of Ireland branch closures. I know the witnesses mentioned that they see it as key. I am a bit concerned by the references to customer preference because I think during Covid, it might not be a fully accurate measure because it does not deal with a number of financial activities that would normally take place but have not been taking place. Working online is not necessarily a preference but has been a necessity in terms of public health. As we look to new periods of, hopefully, economic activity, what weighting is the bank giving the period during Covid in terms of percentage usages versus looking to the period of the previous year or two? I am a bit concerned about that because this does not capture a lot of different kinds of financial and economic activity that have been suspended and does not necessarily capture the preference. There may be those who have engaged online. We know in terms of financial independence-----