Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am speaking as a Minister who has a particular responsibility for the agency that is carrying out the investigation into this matter, namely, the Central Bank, which is independent of me. What I cannot do at this stage is prejudge the ruling or findings it may make but I will make two points.

On foot of all I have seen on this matter in recent months, as well as my engagement with the banks and the Central Bank in its aftermath, I believe this was a collective failure on the part of the banks in respect of their behaviour. The way they have treated customers recently has been appalling. I will not be handing out credit in any way for the fact that these deadlines are being met. This issue should never have happened in the first place. The Central Bank has the power to carry out an investigation, which it is doing. It has the power to sanction both organisations and individuals and from engaging with the Central Bank extensively on the matter, I have no doubt at all that if it reaches a finding of either collective or individual failure over which it can stand confidently, it will sanction accordingly.