Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I commend the witnesses institution on reversing the decision that was made. Sometimes when institutions make a decision, they feel obliged to stick with it. I do find it alarming, however, that so many talented and informed people could have made this decision without having wider consultation. I am conscious the ultimate responsibility for this rests with the board and there are a very large number of people on the board, including a very large number of non-executive directors. I am concerned as to how in touch the non-executive directors of Allied Irish Banks can have been with the public and Irish banking for it to permit such a decision to be made. Is there any substance in my concern?