Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yes, I hear what Mr. Gilvarry said, but I do not agree with him. I agree that there should be flexibility in the legislation, but all that is being done by allowing the Minister to drop the percentage of people who have access to cash within 10 km, is taking services away from rural areas.

That is the reality of it. There will be people who are relying on that, which is making it a bit more difficult. There is a cost in relation to this, but we also need to ask what banking is about and what the services are about. It may not always be the case, but some of these financial institutions are very profitable. Access to cash must be a part of their core business, in my view, and we should not attempt to get rid of cash. I know the Department is not arguing for this.