Mr. Pat Leahy:

As regards the first question, we have no idea. The Central Bank has no idea how many there are because it is not a regulated activity under the Central Bank's rules. It is really a contract between the bank and the individual so we have no idea how many safe deposit boxes there are or how many objects are in safe keeping. There is no record of it and that is why the Deloitte report only looked at 100, just as an example for the purposes of compiling its report. The Banking and Payments Federation Ireland, BPFI, has also done some work on this but we do not have a record of what is there.

As regards title deeds, it is my understanding that while there may be missing physical deeds, everything is automated and available electronically from the PRA at this stage. Therefore any deeds or similar documents found may be of historical interest or value but I am not sure they would be relevant. They may be of interest to the PRA but we would have to engage with the authority to determine if it is interested in old deeds at this stage. It is my understanding is that most deeds are now available electronically. Effectively, they have all been digitised so it may not be an issue.