Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I join with my colleagues' criticisms of the Bank of Ireland. I look to the Minister to ensure that the voices of the Irish people are heard at tomorrow's Bank of Ireland AGM. I have been contacted by constituents in Bray and elsewhere in Wicklow who are struggling to make mortgage repayments. While I accept and welcome the Government is doing what it can to assist those in arrears, it must also ensure the banks play ball.

I was surprised to learn that the Bank of Ireland conducted market research on tracker mortgages with a view to moving customers off them thereby strengthening its financial position. I would like the Minister to address this important matter at the Bank of Ireland's AGM tomorrow. I am not pleased that customers are being intentionally misled. I am concerned that Bank of Ireland is not alone in attempting this underhanded tactic.

I would also like the Minister to explain what social dividend is to be achieved, in terms of buildings or otherwise, from the support shown by the taxpayer to Bank of Ireland. To take the example of Bank of Ireland on College Green, why has the State not repossessed that building? Why has a request not gone in, at least, from the Minister's representatives that Bank of Ireland vacate those premises? The building it occupies is of significant historical value as the world's first purpose-built two-chamber parliament. I ask the Minister of State to ask the Minister to address these important matters, with urgency, at the AGM tomorrow.

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