Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I wish to address another issue. In the banking developments of recent years, the power and influence of local bank managers was lost. No one knew what was occurring in the community better than the local bank manager or the officials in the local office. In any bank reorganisation, I ask that we revert to such a situation. At branch level 20 or 30 years ago, people knew which members of the community could genuinely create jobs and were prepared to take risks. When my father and grandfather went to the banks to get money to do their business, they went to their local man. Since they trusted him, they repaid the bank even in difficult times. Has my time concluded?

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