Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for missing our guests' presentations because we had a vote in the Seanad. I read the opening statements so I thank our guests for submitting them. Some of my questions have already been covered. I will ask about customers of KBC or Ulster Bank who might have distressed loans or whatever else and are under a lot of stress. They now have to deal with another bank. I am looking for assurances from each of the three banks that every customer will be dealt with individually and his or her concerns will be taken into account. It is a stressful time for people who are coming with loans in the background and are negotiating with other banks, especially when they may already have been in negotiation with KBC or Ulster Bank and got nowhere.

My following question is for Mr. Hayes. I have asked the question of KBC and Ulster Bank in the past. Why have they chosen to leave Ireland? Many fine banks are still here but there must be a reason those two banks are pulling out. What are Mr. Hayes' opinions from his dealings with them?

I mentioned to the representatives of the two banks who were before the committee earlier that I am currently an Ulster Bank customer. I went to one of the banks that is represented at this meeting recently and I had a positive experience. However, a number of more vulnerable customers have come to me. Mr. Hayes addressed this issue in his presentation. Some older people are not proficient in email or online although I know others are. Some need an extra bit of support, for example, to set up their direct debits. Are each of the banks going to provide that support, especially to older and more vulnerable people? Some of them are stressed about the fact they now have to deal with another bank. They might have been dealing with the same bank for decades. The change has caused upset, especially to some older people.