Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)

Thank you. These people need to hear from the Government what their future is, as employees of the two banks which will move into virtual State ownership. It is very important they be drivers of industry and commerce across all our towns and villages throughout the country. They and their families are owed a degree of certainty, and the Government must make a statement on the matter.

As part of restructuring, in recent years there has been a clearing out of many of the directors at board and senior management levels and this must continue. We must consider the public interest directors who have been in place for a number of years. Many are former Members of this House. The Government must look closely at this issue. These are people earning six-figure salaries fulfilling their roles as directors on the bank boards who are also in receipt of State pensions for their time in the Oireachtas and in ministerial functions. We must look at the role of public interest directors in that regard.

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