John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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With regard to the 2,141 businesses transferred and the delegation's opening remarks, there is not a bank that has appeared before us that would not say the same thing, namely, that the customers comes first and that they are being looked after. With regard to the global restructuring group and those businesses that went into it, Mr. Blair cannot tell us the exact number that emerged. It was less than 100. Nine is less than 100. Is it 50 less than 100? How many businesses came out of the group? There have been many complaints about the process. Ulster Bank appointed Mason Hayes & Curran to investigate it. The 2,141 businesses would prefer it if there were an independent review of the process. The banks have dealt with them very unfairly. There is a need for clarity in respect of quite a number of issues associated with the group and how businesses were treated. The only way the bank could fulfil its ambition to understand and help the customer would be by having an independent investigation into this matter. As much as the bank wants to recover, in terms of its banking model and role in the economy, so too did the 2,141 businesses.

Arising from Deputy Pearse Doherty's contribution, I ask that the bank provide the committee with as much detail on the activities of the group as possible, defining the types of businesses that went into it, without naming any. I seek generalities in order that we can have a greater understanding of the matter.