Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The last time the Minister met Ulster Bank on this issue the chairperson was Ruairí O'Flynn, who has resigned from the job after less than two months. Has the Minister had an opportunity to speak to the former chairperson about his departure? Has he asked the CEO of Ulster Bank about the appointment of Goldman Sachs as advisers for NatWest's strategic review into the future of the bank, given its potential conflict of interest? We do not need a passive Minister in this. I understand that it is a private bank and so on, but we need the Minister to ask these questions. Did the CEO inform the Minister of this appointment? Has he been in contact with NatWest in recent days or weeks or, indeed, since 21 October when he last met Ulster Bank?

Last month, I requested that the CEO of Ulster Bank appear before the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach to answer questions. The CEO of Ulster Bank refused. The finance committee is united in demanding that Ulster Bank appears before it. Will the Minister add his weight to that call?

We all know that the withdrawal of Ulster Bank from the Irish market would threaten competition in the market. No clarity or certainty has been given to staff, customers, mortgage holders and businesses. It is a grave situation. When does the Minister intend to sit down with or speak to NatWest and Ulster Bank again? Has he elicited any of the information that I have provided to him, particularly around the appointment of Goldman Sachs? What are the next steps that he intends to take?

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