Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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I welcome the officials. Mr. Boucher said he will be judged by his shareholders and that is understandable, as he has a business to run. Given the fact the bank would probably be out of business but for the taxpayer, does he feel any pressure to be a service provider to the people as well as a business or does profit remain the top priority because of pressure from shareholders?

It goes without saying that the bigger the business the easier it is to get money from the bank, but the bigger businesses were those which cost the bank the most when the recession arrived. Although things might be starting to recover does Mr. Boucher agree it is more difficult for the small guy than the big guy to get help from the bank? Many small businesses might not look like a wonderful financial bet, but given some help they would come through and pay all their bills. They are struggling to get this help. Given that banks have left the market Bank of Ireland has a nicer pick which amounts to lower risk lending on its part.

Does Mr. Boucher think the pillar banks may be too big to deal with the demands of small and medium enterprises? Should we have a State strategic investment bank to answer their needs? What does Mr. Boucher think of a State strategic investment bank which would lend solely to SMEs?

Was money available from the ECB at 1% which could have gone to SMEs? Was it cordoned off for other areas? Did Bank of Ireland avail of much of the money available from the ECB at 1%? Did the bank invest some of this money abroad or did it confine it to Ireland?