Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

Let us go on to the next point. The issue of security has not been mentioned at all by the Taoiseach. Security has been put forward as one of the reasons for this move. I would challenge that because from what I have read, the security for electronic technology has been breached on several occasions in the past few years. It is particularly sensitive with ATMs. I do not know why so much store has been set on this proposal in the absence of advanced technology that can beat scammers.

The other issue concerns what the institutions want, which is fine. However, it is what the customer wants and what is convenient for the customer that should be the primary issue at all times, not what suits the institutions. The institutions will promote whatever suits them, which is the use of whatever means require the least level of employment. From my knowledge of the IT system, I do not think that sufficient fool-proof methods of transmission exist to the extent suggested in the promotion of this idea.

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