Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On Deputy Pearse Doherty's point, I repeat what I said from the start. The Central Bank indicated that if the individual's information is shared with it, it will examine the information. On his request to raise the matter with the Central Bank, I will do so and I am determined to ensure this further breach of trust is dealt with in the most robust way possible.

On Deputy Michael McGrath's question, I know that he dealt with this matter as recently as early October. He is correct that the figures I provided include the 7,100 cases that had been identified, but this year there has been an increase of 1,300 in the number of customers who have been identified as affected since March. The number is growing, therefore, which was communicated to the Deputy by the Central Bank.

I cannot give an exact time by which everybody will have his or her money back, but I want it to happen as soon as possible. I will continue to engage with the Central Bank to see if I need to give it any further support to make that happen. In the particular cohort of cases with which we are dealing, as we approach this phase of the inquiry, some of them will be even more difficult and even more demanding. Like both Deputies, I have met people who were affected by the matter. Deputy Pearse Doherty referred to a bootful of correspondence, and I have seen the scale of correspondence that some people have had the trauma of having to process. I am fully committed to ensuring this matter is dealt with as effectively as possible.

See this speech in context