Mr. David Hall:

One will never get a positive answer to that question as long as the current system exists. The reason we made an arrangement with AIB and KBC was to have a humanitarian way of dealing with the crisis through a formal channel in which decisions were made within an eight-week period, as opposed to dealing with what Ms Dunne referred to as a relationship manager. Until such time as there is a proper system to allow people be afforded the support and help they need, I respectfully suggest that nobody can bathe themselves in glory. There are unqualified and uncaring people, half of whom do not have a mortgage, making phone calls and harassing people for information. There are guidelines available; they even have their own guidelines. We interviewed two members of staff recently from two different lending institutions and one of their key functions was to discussing with customers how they could reduce the spending in their SFS, particularly in relation to hair products and food and entertainment. The guidelines were debated in this House and are already in existence. They should be used as an absolute minimum. I suggest the banks should be asked what they use as their guidelines. Let us ask Mr. Boucher what guidelines Bank of Ireland uses and how close they are to the minimum guidelines.