Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

There is concern among those who have mortgages with Ulster Bank and also among the staff of the institution about the sacking of 110 workers here and the fact that the arrears support unit is to be moved to Edinburgh. Ulster Bank was up to its neck when it came to fuelling the profit-fest that was the Irish property bubble. For example, in 2004 a decision was taken to abolish the bank's risk policies and controls committee. At the time it was stated the committee represented unnecessary bureaucracy. There are concerns that the move to Scotland will lead to the arrears support unit being more remote and less sympathetic to mortgage holders here who are experiencing difficulties. Some staff are of the view that the company will feel less constrained in adhering to codes of conduct as a result. The new staff who will be taken on in faraway Edinburgh will be on lower pay and have less favourable conditions. Is the Minister of the view that these individuals will deal in a proper and sympathetic manner with mortgage holders in Ireland who are in distress?

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