Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I ask Ms Howard to do so because I have been through all these issues with various banks from time to time and my understanding is that banks make tax claims in the event of write-offs of debt or, in other words, under a bad debt heading. That has traditionally been the case and I presume it continues. It is not peculiar to any one bank; it applies to all banks. In the event of an impaired debt being passed over to an incoming bank, such as the warehousing of debt in this particular case, it is important to know whether a tax concession was sought in respect of the part of the debt that was warehoused or that did not live up to expectations through the repayment period. For instance, sustainability becomes a significant issue, but that is sustainability as determined by the banks. The customer has to be part of this as well and his or her needs have to be considered, no matter who he or she is. I am referring to a specific case. In that case, the borrower stated in the context of KBC that there was reference to allowing customers who have fully co-operated to settle their debt, etc. According to the borrower, at the price it was agreed to sell to Bank of Ireland, there would be no financial loss to KBC in what he or she is seeking. I contend that is a reasonable statement, particularly if a tax concession was sought in respect of any part of that debt when it was written off, regardless of to whom it was written off. Our guests from KBC may wish to respond quickly on that issue.