Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 1 October 2019

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach

Irish Banking Culture Board: Discussion

Mr. Justice John Hedigan:

No, they will not come within our remit, but we are certainly interested in fair outcomes for customers insofar as there is a transfer from the banks to the so-called vulture funds. As I mentioned, I am aware of the fact that for some it is beneficial. If someone wants to get rid of a loan completely, he or she can avail of a great write-down by a vulture fund that one will never receive from a bank, but if someone wants to restructure, it is a big problem. I have been given to understand, quite recently, that may be changing and that some of the so-called vulture funds may actually be introducing ways of helping to restructure. That is something on which we need to keep an eye, but, as far as we are concerned, insofar as it falls under the heading of fair outcomes for customers, it is an issue in which we are interested.